Bilawal calls on govt, protesters to form truth commission over AJK unrest

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Tuesday called for the government and protesters in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) to agree to the formation of a truth and reconciliation commission, saying it was the only way to peacefully resolve the region's prolonged unrest.

Addressing a gathering of party workers in Muzaffarabad during the first phase of the AJK Legislative Assembly elections, Bilawal said both the state and protesters needed to accept the PPP's proposal to investigate the causes of the unrest and restore public confidence.

"It is necessary that during these historic elections, we restore peace and maintain fairness and transparency," he said. "To honour the future of Kashmir and Pakistan's stance on Kashmir, this is not about anyone's victory or defeat. The state and the protesters will have to accept this recommendation from the PPP."

Bilawal said the PPP had been advocating the formation of a truth and reconciliation commission for the past month, arguing that an independent inquiry could have prevented the violence and loss of life witnessed during recent protests.

"All the state had to do was form a truth and reconciliation commission and task it with discerning the truth, and the protesters would have been asked to halt their protests until the commission presented its findings," he said. He added that neither side had been willing to compromise. "What will then become of my innocent Kashmiris, who have no connection to either the protesters or the government?" he asked.

Bilawal said the unrest could have been resolved peacefully without putting lives at risk and accused the federal government of prioritising the political interests of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) over the interests of the people of Kashmir.

"The federation needs to decide whether national interest is more important than PML-N's interest," he said. "It seems that the federal government prioritises PML-N's interests over national interest, and this is harming Pakistan, Kashmir and the people of this country."

He also urged the authorities not to punish protesters indiscriminately. "I understand their pain, whether they are right or wrong... I feel for their mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers," he said.

"If you want to take action, investigate and form a commission, which will then tell you who is the murderer and who is whose agent; this issue cannot be resolved on the street."

Read More: PML-N secures strong lead in AJK polls, wins 9 of 13 seats in Mirpur as unofficial results pour in

Bilawal then turned to the first phase of the AJK elections, alleging that polling in Mirpur had been marred by rigging, intimidation and violence.

"The job of the people is to vote, and they have given PPP their votes. Now our job is to protect their vote, have it counted, and we will not step back or bow down," he said, adding that the party would claim "100 per cent" of the votes and seats it believed rightfully belonged to it in Mirpur.

His remarks came a day after PML-N emerged as the dominant party in the first phase of the AJK Legislative Assembly elections, securing nine of the 13 seats contested across Mirpur Division, according to unofficial and unconfirmed results. The PPP won the remaining four seats in the division, which comprises the districts of Mirpur, Kotli and Chaksawari.

Despite extensive security arrangements, polling was marred by allegations of rigging and sporadic violence, as coalition partners at the centre - the PML-N and the PPP - traded accusations of electoral interference throughout the day.

Bilawal claimed the PPP had secured a majority in Mirpur through the support of voters but was being deprived of its victory.

"Every child of Kashmir knows that Mirpur has a PPP majority," he said. "The people of Mirpur have given their verdict through their votes, and now our responsibility is to protect that vote and ensure it is counted."

He alleged that political opponents interfered with polling by removing PPP polling agents and disrupting the electoral process. "How is it possible that 30 union councils are taken over?" he asked. "How are polling agents thrown out of polling stations and then disappear?"

Questioning the decision to hold the elections in phases, Bilawal said authorities had argued the arrangement would improve security and ensure free and fair polling.

"We were told that elections were being held in phases so that every polling station could get protection," he said. "But if that was the purpose, then how did attacks happen at 30 polling stations in Mirpur?"

Also Read: Rana Sanaullah defends AJK polls as 'free and fair'

Bilawal said he possessed video evidence of alleged irregularities and claimed the phased polling process had been used to manipulate the outcome rather than enhance security.

PPP worker Mukhtar Younus, 35, was killed during polling in Nikyal on Monday. PPP leaders alleged the firing came from supporters of a PML-N candidate and said several party workers were injured.

Bilawal accused the ruling party of creating an "atmosphere of fear and harassment" while attempting to deprive the people of Mirpur of their mandate.

He also alleged attempts had been made to prevent PPP leader Chaudhry Yaseen from winning the two constituencies he contested, claiming similar tactics had been used in previous elections.

The PPP chairman further accused the federal government of placing the political interests of the PML-N above the national interest.

"The federation needs to decide whether national interest is more important or PML-N's interest," he said. "It seems that the federal government prioritises PML-N's interests over national interest, and this is harming Pakistan, Kashmir and the people of this country."

Bilawal said the PPP would continue to support the federation on issues of national importance but would not accept political interests being placed above the rights of Kashmiris. He also warned that undermining democracy in AJK would damage the region's identity, saying, "This is Azad Kashmir, and we will never allow it to become 'occupied' Kashmir."

 

Elections held amid rigging allegations

Polling was held on Monday across 13 constituencies in the three districts from 8am to 6pm, after the Election Commission extended voting by one hour from the scheduled closing time of 5pm.

The elections are being held in three phases under a revised schedule announced by AJK Chief Election Commissioner Ghulam Mustafa Mughal on July 21. The first phase covered all 13 constituencies in Mirpur Division, while polling in Muzaffarabad Division and the 12 refugee constituencies would be held on August 2, followed by Poonch (Rawalakot) Division on August 10.

The PML-N first alleged pre-poll rigging in Kotli's LA-10 constituency after party leaders claimed polling staff and election material had been found at a private residence instead of the designated polling station. The Election Commission later confirmed it had arrested and suspended two presiding officers over the incident, replacing them with new officials and initiating legal proceedings under election laws.

The PPP, meanwhile, repeatedly accused the federal government and the PML-N of using state machinery to influence the polls, alleging armed supporters attempted to disrupt voting at several polling stations and demanding immediate intervention by the Election Commission. The party also complained that polling at one station in Kotli remained suspended for nearly two hours, depriving voters of their right to cast ballots.

Tensions escalated further in LA-9 Kotli-II (Nikyal), when PPP worker, Mukhtar Younus, was killed during polling. The PPP alleged he was shot during incidents involving armed supporters of a PML-N candidate, while PML-N leaders disputed the party's account of the incident. Local authorities confirmed one person had died and two others, including the victim's father, were injured.

As the accusations intensified, senior leaders from both parties held competing press conferences. The PPP accused the federal government of interfering in the elections through development announcements and misuse of official resources, while the PML-N alleged the PPP was itself attempting to manipulate the vote, claiming ballot papers had been recovered from the residence of a rival candidate.

Throughout the day, the Election Commission maintained that strict action would be taken against any violations of the electoral code of conduct, saying irregularities and negligence would not be tolerated. Despite the controversies, polling concluded after the one-hour extension before vote counting began.