Mirpur Division elections proceed amid campaign code-of-conduct dispute over PML-N’s e-buses

MUZAFFARABAD: Responding to PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif’s recent jibe, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Sunday said that whether it’s Kashmir or Kashmore, Mirpur or Mirpurkhas, their residents were “not ready to bargain away their rights”. Bilawal’s response comes a day before the first phase of elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) is set to begin, with Mirpur voting on Monday. It also comes amid allegations of pre-poll rigging by the PPP after the PML-N gave 10 e-buses to Muzaffarabad and Mirpur as a “gift”. Addressing a public rally in AJK’s Mirpur on Friday as part of his party’s election campaign, Nawaz had named Bilawal and said Kashmir should not be mistaken for Kashmore, nor Mirpur for Mirpurkhas — districts of Sindh where the PPP has been in power for years. Subsequently, Bilawal shared a video statement on social media, beginning his message with, “Mian sahib, please don’t take offence”, as he tagged Nawaz’s X account in his post. “Whether it’s Kashmir or Kashmore, Mirpur or Mirpurkhas, not only do their names resemble each other; their temperament matches too, their honour matches too, and so does the courage to stand up for their rights,” he said. The PPP chairman added: “Whether it’s Kashmore or Kashmir, no one would let anyone rob them politically of their right to governance and right to ownership. “Whether it’s Kashmir or Kashmore, Mirpur or Mirpurkhas, their people are not ready to bargain away their rights. They want to make their own decisions. They will not hand over power over their future to any other city, nor any other province.” The Bhutto scion asserted, “Just as in the previous elections the people of Kashmir and Kashmore rejected the Muslim League, just as the [PML-N] was swept away in Mirpur and Mirpurkhas, the people will repeat that same verdict in the upcoming elections too.” Referring to tomorrow’s polls in Mirpur, Bilawal expressed his belief that the “Kashmir’s verdict would be in favour of the PPP and just like in Mirpurkhas, the people of Mirpur would hunt the lion with the arrow”. In another post before that, Bilawal also directly commented on Nawaz and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s announcement of “gifting” electric buses and hospitals on wheels to people of AJK before the election. Ten e-buses arrived in Muzaffarabad on Saturday, while more reached Mirpur today, the PML-N said. In his post, Bilawal said, “You are being promised buses, hospitals, roads, and an airport. I welcome every bus, every hospital, every road, and every airport. “But something built with the public’s money is not a gift from any politician — it is the public’s right.” “The PPP has not just made promises,” he remarked, emphasising that the party — which is currently in power in the region — had included 3,308 additional teachers, a cardiac hospital, new roads, IT centres, and employment opportunities for the youth in AJK’s budget. “I myself secured funding for Mirpur Airport in the previous federal budget. The very stadium where our opponents hold their rallies was also built during the PPP’s tenure.” The PPP chairman reiterated that he wanted to secure for the people of Kashmir the right to governance, the right to ownership, and the right to employment. “The same rights that every Pakistani citizen is entitled to. Then they won’t need gifts of this sort. They will arrange their own development.” Bilawal urged his supporters to come out in large numbers on polling day to cast their votes for his party. “Progress too! Authority too! Employment too! And Kashmir’s decision by Kashmiris!” Mirpur division gears up for first phase of polls Separately, AJK Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal on Sunday urged voters in Mirpur division to turn out in large numbers for the first phase of the general elections tomorrow, in which more than 1.4 million registered voters will elect representatives from 13 constituencies. In a video message, the CEC said elaborate security arrangements had been made for the polls, with security forces and Quick Response Force teams deployed at polling stations and security also being ensured for voters travelling to and from polling stations. He warned that anyone attempting to disrupt the polling process would face legal action. According to the AJK Election Commission, 1,400,437 voters — including 724,811 men and 675,626 women — were registered in the division’s 13 constituencies. Polling will be held at 2,316 polling stations, of which 1,241 have been declared highly sensitive, 724 sensitive and 351 normal. A total of 288 candidates are contesting the elections. Election monitoring has been organised through 13 zones and 205 sectors across the division, while 18,560 personnel from police and other law enforcement agencies have been deployed under a three-tier security plan. Under the arrangement, police will provide the first layer of security, Pakistan Rangers (Punjab), Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) and the Federal Constabulary the second, and the Pakistan Army the third. Around 2,100 army personnel will also be deployed, while Quick Response Force teams will remain on standby to respond to any emergency. Chief Secretary Khushal Khan and Election Commission Secretary Raja Muhammad Shakeel informed the media that all arrangements had been finalised for the first phase of the elections, with polling material delivered to returning officers, election personnel deployed and security put on high alert. Addressing a joint press conference in Muzaffarabad earlier in the day, the chief secretary said electioneering had reached its peak across the region, with corner meetings, banners, posters and party flags visible in various areas, while the leadership of major federal political parties had also visited AJK to campaign. He warned that authorities were closely monitoring misleading propaganda about the elections on social media and said strict legal action would be taken against anyone attempting to disrupt the polling process or disturb public order. He maintained that all state institutions were fully prepared to ensure transparent, free and peaceful elections. Shakeel said around 22,000 election personnel had been deployed and polling material had already reached polling stations. He added that CEC Mughal had recently visited Mirpur to review the arrangements and expressed satisfaction over the preparations. He clarified that an old video calling for an election boycott was being circulated on social media to create a false impression, insisting that election campaigns had continued peacefully across all districts without any untoward incident. Shakeel said all political parties and candidates had welcomed the Election Commission’s code of conduct, while members of the public themselves were lodging complaints against elements attempting to obstruct the electoral process, reflecting public confidence in the election system. Meanwhile, the Election Commission allowed registered political parties, candidates and election agents to use automated telephone calls, commonly known as robocalls, for election campaigning until 48 hours before polling day. In a statement, the commission said the decision was taken after considering an application submitted by PPP AJK President Chaudhry Yasin and PPP Secretary General Nayyer Hussain Bukhari under Clause 17 of the Election Code of Conduct 2026. The commission said the permission allows campaign messages to be delivered through pre-recorded voice calls sent automatically to large numbers of voters until the commencement of the mandatory 48-hour campaign silence before polling.

• Maryam shares video of green buses reaching AJK• PPP alleges code of conduct violations by rivals• Election commissioner warns against new schemes, reviews election preparations• 2,316 polling stations set up across division• MQM-P withdraws candidates in PML-N’s favour MUZAFFARABAD: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and its coalition partner at the Centre, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), are set to face off in the Mirpur Division elections on Monday, as electioneering ended at midnight amid allegations of pre-poll rigging by the PPP and a warning from the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Election Commission that no individual or institution would be allowed to violate the election code of conduct. The Election Commission on Saturday reiterated that no individual or institution would be allowed to violate the election code of conduct, amid a controversy over development promises made during the election campaign. Although the commission’s statement did not name any individual or political party, it came after ex-PM Nawaz Sharif and Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz, while addressing election rallies in Muzaffarabad and Mirpur, promised electric buses and mobile hospitals. The announcements prompted the PPP to approach the Election Commission, urging it to take notice of what it described as blatant violations of the election code of conduct and election laws. In a related political development, MQM-P annou­nced its support for PML-N candidates in the AJK elections by withdrawing its own candidates. The announcement came after the PML-N delegation, led by its Sindh President Bashir Memon and Mini­ster of State for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Har­m­­ony Kheal Das Kohistani, met MQM-P leaders at the party’s Bahadurabad headquarters in Karachi. Speaking to reporters afterwards, MQM-P leader Dr Farooq Sattar said his party’s candidates contesting from various constituencies, including seats reserved for refugees, would withdraw in favour of PML-N nominees. He said a PML-N victory in the Azad Kashmir elections would also be a victory for the MQM-P. An Election Commission spokesperson said federal and provincial ministers were free to participate in electioneering in AJK but could not use official protocol, government resources or the state machinery for electoral purposes. “The announcement of any new development scheme, financial package, public facility or welfare project during the election campaign will amount to a violation of the code of conduct. Any vehicles, equipment, relief goods or other facilities sent by the federal or provincial governments during the election period will be confiscated and action taken in accordance with the law,” he said. The spokesperson urged all ministers, candidates and political parties to str­ictly observe the code of con­­­­­­duct to ensure free, fair and transparent elections and maintain public confidence in the electoral process. Earlier on Saturday afte­rnoon, Chief Minister Mar­y­­am Nawaz confirmed that the green buses had reac­hed Muzaffarabad, sha­­r­ing a video showing several of the vehicles carrying posters featuring her portrait alongside local PML-N leaders. The controversy had escalated a day earlier when PPP Secretary Gen­eral Nayyar Hussain Bukh­a­­­ri met Chief Election Com­­­­­m­issioner Ghulam Mu­­­­­s­­­­tafa Mughal and sought action over the transfer of 10 electric buses bearing Ms Nawaz’s picture to the AJK administration. “The Punjab government’s move of handing over electric buses featuring Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s photos to the AJK government is political bribery,” Mr Bukhari had said. In a post on the party’s X account on Saturday, Mr Bukhari said he had also sought a no-objection certificate from the commission to launch a “motivation service” in AJK as part of the party’s manifesto and election campaign. He did not elaborate on the nature of the proposed service. Mr Bukhari at a press conference in Muzaffara­bad reiterated his party’s concerns over the alleged violations of the election code of conduct. He demanded an immediate ban on the participation of federal ministers and the Punjab chief minister in the election campaign and urged the Election Comm­ission to ensure strict enforcement of the code. He maintained that while the PPP was not opposed to providing public facilities, it could not help but ask why such initiatives were being announced only during the election campaign. “If the Punjab government genuinely wished to extend such facilities to AJK, it could have done so before the announcement of the election schedule or after the polls,” he said. He said the Election Commission should take imm­­­ediate notice of the matter; otherwise, the code of conduct would lose its credibility. Around the same time, PPP Central Information Secretary Shazia Marri posted a statement on X, saying Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari was striving for “a bright and empowered future” for the people of Kashmir. She said the PPP chairman had raised the slogans of the right to rule, right to property and right to empl­o­­­yment for Kashmiris, adding: “This is not a crime.” Ms Marri asked the PML-N to present its programme for Kashmir instead of attacking its political opponents. CEC chairs meeting Meanwhile, Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal chaired a meeting in Mirpur to review preparations for the 2026 general elections. The meeting was atte­nded by Election Commi­ssion Secretary Raja Muhammad Shakeel, Dist­r­­ict Returning Officers Jah­­­­­angir Ahmed Jaral (Mirpur), Muhammad Idr­ees Bhatti (Kotli) and Hafiz Sardar Muhammad Akram Khan (Bhimber), returning officers, Mirpur Divisional Commissioner Raja Tahir Mumtaz, Dep­uty Inspector General of Police Kamran Ali, and others. After the DROs briefed the meeting on election arrangements in their res­p­­ective districts, Comm­­issioner Mumtaz said all preparations for the elections had been finalised across the three districts of Mirpur Division. He said the division had 1,400,437 registered voters, comprising 724,811 men and 675,626 women. A total of 2,316 polling stations had been established, including 1,241 dec­lared highly sensitive, 724 sensitive and 351 normal. He said LA-3 (Mirpur City) had the highest number of contestants, with 34 candidates, while 288 candidates were contesting elections across the division’s 13 constituencies. To oversee polling and security arrangements, the administration had established 13 zones and 205 sectors across the division, wi­­­­th enhanced security mea­­­­­sures at sensitive and highly sensitive polling stations. DIG Ali told the meeting that 18,560 personnel from the police and other law enforcement agencies wou­ld be deployed across Mir­pur Division for security. The deployment inclu­des 5,536 personnel in Mirpur district, 4,504 in Bh­imber and 8,520 in Kot­li. He said a three-tier security plan had been devised under which the police would serve as the first tier, civil armed forces as the second, and the Pakistan Army as the third. The second tier would comprise personnel from the Pakistan Rangers (Punjab), Pakistan Ran­gers (Sindh) and the Federal Constabulary, while 2,100 Pakistan Army troops would also be deployed to assist with election security. The DIG said all security forces would perform their duties under an integrated security plan on polling day, July 27. Meanwhile, AJK Secretary Information Muhammad Rashid Hanif and Director Information Tariq Jamil Durrani urged journalists and media organisations to ensure responsible, impartial and professional coverage of the elections. Published in Dawn, July 26th, 2026

MUZAFFARABAD: E-buses announced by the PML-N as a “gift” arrived in Muzaffarabad on Saturday as the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Election Commission warned against violating the code of conduct for election campaigns. The AJK Election Commission warned that it would not allow any individual or institution to violate the code of conduct, a day after former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced development schemes, including the “gift” of 10 e-buses at election rallies in Muzaffarabad and Mirpur. CM Maryam confirmed on Saturday afternoon that the green buses had arrived in the regional capital, sharing a video that showed several of the vehicles bearing posters with her picture. The PML-N’s Friday announcement had not gone well with the PPP, which described it as “political bribery”. It then approached the Election Commission, urging it to take notice of what it termed a violation of the election code of conduct. Subsequently, an Election Commission spokesperson said federal and provincial ministers were free to participate in electioneering in AJK but could not use official protocol, government resources or the state machinery for electoral purposes. The spokesperson warned that the announcement of any new development scheme, financial package, public facility or welfare project during the election campaign would amount to a violation of the code of conduct. Any vehicles, equipment, relief goods or other facilities sent by the federal or provincial governments during the election period would be confiscated and action taken in accordance with the law, the statement added. The spokesperson urged all ministers, candidates and political parties to strictly observe the code of conduct to ensure free, fair and transparent elections and maintain public confidence in the electoral process. Meanwhile, AJK Secretary Information Muhammad Rashid Hanif and Director Information Tariq Jamil Durrani urged journalists and media organisations to ensure responsible, impartial and professional coverage of the elections. In a joint message, they called on the media to publish only verified and balanced information, avoid rumours and inflammatory content, and adhere to the Election Commission’s code of conduct and journalistic ethics. They also urged users of social media platforms to refrain from sharing unverified or misleading material that could undermine the electoral process or disturb public order. PPP accuses PML-N of ‘political bribery’ Separately, PPP Secretary General Nayyer Hussain Bukhari met with AJK Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal on Saturday over the issue of pre-poll development schemes. He urged the CEC to take notice of the Punjab government’s decision to hand over 10 electric buses bearing the photographs of CM Maryam to the AJK administration. He said the PPP considered the act as “political bribery” and alleged that the PML-N was trying to “buy the AJK elections” by using tax money of the people of Punjab. “After the announcement of the election schedule, any such step by any executive amounts to a clear violation of election laws,” he asserted. Bukhari questioned whether the buses were purchased “from the account of Jati Umra”, and asked the CEC to take notice of the matter. He also submitted a request for issuance of a no-objection certificate (NOC) for the PPP to run a “motivation service” in connection with the party manifesto and election campaign in AJK, and urged the CEC to decide early on the party’s appeal. Matters related to the AJK general elections 2026, the code of conduct, and permission letters required for political parties also came under discussion. In a statement, PPP Central Spokesperson Shazia Marri said Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari was striving for a bright and empowered future for every Kashmiri. She said the PPP chairman had raised the slogan of the right to rule, right to property and right to employment for the people of Kashmir, adding “this is not a crime”. Marri asked PML-N to present its plan of action for Kashmir to the people instead of attacking political allies. “The people of Kashmir do not want allegations by political parties; they want solutions to their problems,” she said. She said Nawaz was repeating the same old narrative on which he “could not deliver despite being in power three times”.

MUZAFFARABAD: E-buses announced by the PML-N as a “gift” arrived in Muzaffarabad on Saturday as the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Election Commission warned against violating the code of conduct for election campaigns. The AJK Election Commission warned that it would not allow any individual or institution to violate the code of conduct, a day after former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced development schemes, including the “gift” of 10 e-buses at election rallies in Muzaffarabad and Mirpur. CM Maryam confirmed on Saturday afternoon that the green buses had arrived in the regional capital, sharing a video that showed several of the vehicles bearing posters with her picture. The PML-N’s Friday announcement had not gone well with the PPP, which described it as “political bribery”. It then approached the Election Commission, urging it to take notice of what it termed a violation of the election code of conduct. Subsequently, an Election Commission spokesperson said federal and provincial ministers were free to participate in electioneering in AJK but could not use official protocol, government resources or the state machinery for electoral purposes. The spokesperson warned that the announcement of any new development scheme, financial package, public facility or welfare project during the election campaign would amount to a violation of the code of conduct. Any vehicles, equipment, relief goods or other facilities sent by the federal or provincial governments during the election period would be confiscated and action taken in accordance with the law, the statement added. The spokesperson urged all ministers, candidates and political parties to strictly observe the code of conduct to ensure free, fair and transparent elections and maintain public confidence in the electoral process. Meanwhile, AJK Secretary Information Muhammad Rashid Hanif and Director Information Tariq Jamil Durrani urged journalists and media organisations to ensure responsible, impartial and professional coverage of the elections. In a joint message, they called on the media to publish only verified and balanced information, avoid rumours and inflammatory content, and adhere to the Election Commission’s code of conduct and journalistic ethics. They also urged users of social media platforms to refrain from sharing unverified or misleading material that could undermine the electoral process or disturb public order. PPP accuses PML-N of ‘political bribery’ Separately, PPP Secretary General Nayyer Hussain Bukhari met with AJK Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal on Saturday over the issue of pre-poll development schemes. He urged the CEC to take notice of the Punjab government’s decision to hand over 10 electric buses bearing the photographs of CM Maryam to the AJK administration. He said the PPP considered the act as “political bribery” and alleged that the PML-N was trying to “buy the AJK elections” by using tax money of the people of Punjab. “After the announcement of the election schedule, any such step by any executive amounts to a clear violation of election laws,” he asserted. Bukhari questioned whether the buses were purchased “from the account of Jati Umra”, and asked the CEC to take notice of the matter. He also submitted a request for issuance of a no-objection certificate (NOC) for the PPP to run a “motivation service” in connection with the party manifesto and election campaign in AJK, and urged the CEC to decide early on the party’s appeal. Matters related to the AJK general elections 2026, the code of conduct, and permission letters required for political parties also came under discussion. In a statement, PPP Central Spokesperson Shazia Marri said Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari was striving for a bright and empowered future for every Kashmiri. She said the PPP chairman had raised the slogan of the right to rule, right to property and right to employment for the people of Kashmir, adding “this is not a crime”. Marri asked PML-N to present its plan of action for Kashmir to the people instead of attacking political allies. “The people of Kashmir do not want allegations by political parties; they want solutions to their problems,” she said. She said Nawaz was repeating the same old narrative on which he “could not deliver despite being in power three times”.

• Nawaz, Maryam make development pledges, ‘gift’ of 10 electric buses prompts rigging allegations• In apparent swipe at Bilawal, PML-N supremo says ‘Kashmir should not be mistaken for Kashmore, nor Mirpur for Mirpurkhas’• PPP assails Nawaz’s remarks, urges Election Commission to take notice of ‘promises’ MUZAFFARABAD: PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif on Friday promised an international airport for Mirpur, the revival of Mansehra-Muzaffarabad-Mirpur mot­o­rway project, and a series of ‘gifts’ for Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), as he and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz made a final campaign push for party’s candidates hours before the electioneering ended for the Mirpur division polls. But the pre-poll promises, and an apparent jibe at PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, was not received well by the PML-N’s coalition partner, whose leaders hit back at the elder Sharif, terming his remarks ‘frivolous’ and ‘ridiculous’. Addressing a large public meeting in the lakeside city of Mirpur, the father-daughter duo repeatedly highlighted their Kashmiri roots and told supporters that AJK needed the same infrastructure and welfare-focused governance that had been introduced in Punjab. Describing Kashmir as his “first home”, Mr Sharif said he shared a deep emotional bond with the region. In an apparent swipe at the PPP chairman, Mr Sharif said Kashmir should not be mistaken for Kashmore, nor Mirpur for Mirpurkhas. Mentioning Mr Bhutto-Zardari by name for the first time during his election campaign in AJK, he said: “Don’t take this the wrong way, Bilawal bhai. You are like a son to me.” “Political sparring among parties should continue. There can even be some sharp exchanges, and that’s perfectly healthy. But there should be no fighting or violence.” “We have come with a pledge that, God willing, we will change the destiny of Mirpur and all of Azad Kashmir,” he said, while asking successive governments in Pakistan and AJK what they had done for the region since his ouster. He said the PML-N’s manifesto accorded priority to education and healthcare, promising new schools, colleges and universities as well as hospitals equipped with CT scanners and MRI facilities so that residents would not have to travel to Pakistan for treatment. Nawaz also announced a gift of 10 ‘Hospitals on Wheels’ and as many electric green buses for Mirpur from the Punjab government. He also pledged to dualise the Kotli-Nakyal road, construct tunnels at Lohar Gali and Leepa Valley in Muzaffarabad division, re­­v­­ive the long-stalled motorway project linking Mans­ehra, Muzaffarabad and Mirpur along the Jhelum River, and seek the establishment of an international airport in Mirpur. Speaking after him, CM Maryam argued that AJK did not suffer from a lack of resources but from inadequate infrastructure, insu­fficient welfare program­mes and poor governance. She asked the audience who had built the Kohala-Muzaffarabad Road, the Murree-Kohala Road and cardiac hospitals, prompting chants of “Nawaz Sharif” from the crowd. The Punjab CM pledged that welfare schemes introduced by the PML-N government in Punjab would be extended to AJK immediately after the elections, saying voters should support the party if they wanted development. “The world will see a clean Azad Kashmir after the elections,” she said, urging people to “think carefully” before casting their ballots. PPP hits back The announcement of schemes for AJK, including the ‘gift’ of 10 e-buses, during the campaign did not go well with the PPP. PPP-Parliamentarians Secretary General Nayyar Bukhari strongly criticised the PML-N leadership for gifting 10 electric buses, bearing CM Maryam’s images, to AJK during the election campaign and described the move as “political bribery”. He demanded the chief election commissioner take immediate notice of the transfer of the buses. Some PPP candidates for AJK Assembly elections, including Sardar Javed Ayub, Sardar Mukhtar Abbasi and Syed Bazil Ali Naqvi, also opposed the PML-N move. Taking exception to Mr Sharif’s remarks about the PPP chief, AJK Legislative Assembly Spe­aker and PPP candidate Chaudhry Latif Akbar alleged a series of promises made by PML-N leaders during their election rallies constituted a violation of the election code of conduct, and called on the Election Commission to take strict notice. He told the presser the announcements amounted to an attempt to woo voters ahead of polls. Taking exception to Mr Sharif’s light-hearted remark at a Muzaffarabad rally that he would ask Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to make the PML-N’s nominee the next prime minister of AJK, Mr Akbar quipped: “Nawaz Sharif’s own brother did not make him prime minister, yet he comes here and complains about it.” Referring to Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz’s claims, Mr Akbar alleged the PML-N leadership was attempting to “buy Kashmiri votes” through pre-election promises. Separately, Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon hit back at Mr Sharif’s jibe, saying: “Do not make the land and people of Sindh and Kashmir a subject of ridicule and humour”. Political differences ha­­ve their place, but ridicule of any province, city or area is not acceptable un­­­der any circumstances, he said, terming the ex-PM’s remarks “not only frivolous but also ridiculous”. Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2026