Bilawal claims PML-N factions weakening PM

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Friday accused elements within the ruling PML-N of undermining Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif while alleging that the phased AJK elections were designed to facilitate electoral manipulation, as campaigning intensified ahead of the remaining phase of the polls.

Addressing a public rally in Bagh, Bilawal said Pakistan was facing mounting political and regional challenges that required national unity rather than political confrontation.

He alleged that sections within the PML-N were weakening the prime minister and attempting to create rifts between him and his political allies, while also accusing the ruling party of trying to manipulate the electoral process in AJK.

He maintained that the remaining constituencies would decide the composition of the next AJK government and expressed confidence that voters would reject "rigged politics".

The PPP and the PML-N have remained locked in a bitter exchange since the latter emerged as the leading party in the first two phases of the AJK elections.

The PPP has repeatedly alleged rigging and violence during polling in both the Mirpur and Muzaffarabad divisions, allegations rejected by the PML-N.

Following security concerns and unrest in parts of Poonch Division, the AJK Election Commission has revised the schedule, announcing that polling on August 10 will now be held only in Bagh and Haveli districts, while elections in Poonch district and Sudhnoti's Pallandri constituency have been postponed.

Without naming individuals, Bilawal claimed "high-profile people" had themselves begun speaking about the government's instability.

"High-profile people are saying that the government has collapsed. I'm not saying that, nor am I casting doubt on the prime minister's intentions. He's a good man with good intentions. But what can he do when the people around him have bad intentions?"

Referring to his recent remarks about a "countdown" for the government, Bilawal insisted that the PPP had not initiated such a narrative.

"The PPP did not start the countdown to the government's collapse. The real fight is entirely different, because the PM, with his good intentions and actions, is undermined by a large part of the PML-N."

He further alleged that influential sections within the ruling party wanted the prime minister to confront not only the opposition but also his coalition partners.

"A big part of the PML-N wants the PM to fight not only the opposition, but also his own allies."