Bilawal seeks to shield coalition from AJK poll rift

Internet services were restored in Muzaffarabad on Wednesday night, 53 days after broadband connectivity was suspended on June 6 bringing relief to residents, businesses, journalists and other users who had struggled to access online services. Broadband internet services were restored at around 10pm Wednesday and were functioning normally while mobile data services continued to face connectivity problems. The prolonged disruption had affected communication, digital banking, businesses and journalists covering political and electoral developments in Azad Jammu and Kashmir AJK.

The restoration came ahead of the second phase of the AJK Legislative Assembly elections in Muzaffarabad Division. The internet shutdown had remained a major concern for residents and media organisations particularly as the region entered a crucial phase of the electoral process. Meanwhile, more than 1.248 million voters are set to cast their ballots in the second phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections on August 2, with polling to be held for 21 constituencies, including nine seats in the Muzaffarabad Division and 12 seats reserved for Jammu and Kashmir refugees living in Pakistan.

According to the AJK Election Commission, a total of 351 candidates are contesting the second phase of the elections. The commission said all arrangements for polling have been finalised, with enhanced security measures in place to ensure a peaceful, transparent and orderly electoral process. Muzaffarabad, the capital of AJK, has once again become the centre of political activity as election campaigns entered their final stages.

Political parties have intensified rallies, corner meetings and voter outreach campaigns across the city and surrounding districts ahead of polling day. In Neelum Valley, voting will take place in two constituencies—LA-25 Neelum I and LA-26 Neelum II—where candidates from major political parties are vying for victory. The district of Muzaffarabad is expected to witness some of the fiercest electoral contests, with polling scheduled in five constituencies: LA-27 Muzaffarabad I, LA-28 Muzaffarabad II, LA-29 Muzaffarabad III, LA-30 Muzaffarabad IV and LA-31 Muzaffarabad V.

Political parties have focused campaign efforts on these seats, which are considered among the most competitive in the election. Two constituencies in Jhelum Valley—LA-32 and LA-33—are also expected to wi… PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Wednesday said his criticism of alleged irregularities in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections would not endanger the party's coalition with the PML-N at the Centre, but warned that the alleged rigging and what he described as the theft of the public mandate could have implications for the ruling alliance.

Speaking to the media after meeting AJK Legislative Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar and PPP workers at his residence here, the Bhutto scion said the PPP-PML-N coalition at the federal level remained intact. "My statements cannot put our coalition with the federal government in danger," Bilawal said, while cautioning that alleged manipulation of the AJK electoral process and denial of the public mandate could create difficulties for the alliance. The PPP chairman said alleged vote theft and what he called an assault on the people's mandate were "unacceptable", arguing that he could not remain silent when party workers were targeted.