ISLAMABAD, August 3, 2026: Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah has claimed that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has secured a simple majority in the 2026 Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections, describing the outcome as a strong endorsement of the party’s leadership and governance agenda.
Speaking to the media after the announcement of unofficial election results, Rana Sanaullah said the people of AJK had placed their trust in PML-N by giving the party a clear mandate. He congratulated Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, PML-N President Nawaz Sharif, party workers, and successful candidates for what he termed a “historic victory.”
Sanaullah stated that the election results reflected public confidence in the federal government’s development policies and its commitment to improving infrastructure, economic opportunities, and public services in Azad Kashmir. He said the PML-N would work to form a stable government focused on addressing the needs of the people and ensuring sustainable development across the region.
The adviser also rejected allegations of widespread electoral rigging made by opposition parties, insisting that the polling process was conducted in accordance with the law. He urged all political stakeholders to respect the democratic process and await the official certification of the results by the Election Commission.
The 2026 AJK elections have been conducted in multiple phases because of security concerns. While the PML-N has emerged as the leading party in the unofficial count, the election period has also been marked by violence, protests, and allegations of irregularities from opposition groups, including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which boycotted the polls, and the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), which has criticized the electoral process.
Political analysts say the PML-N’s strong performance places it in a favorable position to form the next government in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, although the final composition of the assembly will depend on the official notification of results and the allocation of reserved seats. The Election Commission is expected to issue the final certified results after completing the counting and verification process.
