AJK elections: Rana Sanaullah says LA-14 winner has joined PML-N

Islamabad: PML-N's Rana Sanaullah declared on Monday that Sajid Iqbal Abbasi, the newly elected representative for LA-14 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), had officially joined his party. At a press briefing in Islamabad, Sanaullah emphasized that the PML-N was on track to form the government in AJK, having secured 25 seats in the recent elections.

He projected the party's strength to rise to approximately 33 following the allocation of reserved seats, nearly achieving a two-thirds majority in the 53-member legislative assembly. The elections in AJK were conducted in stages, with the Election Commission citing security concerns. The PML-N had already claimed 25 seats in the elections before Abbasi's affiliation with the party.

Meanwhile, the main opposition party, the PPP, won only 12 constituencies and has accused the PML-N of rigging and electoral malpractices. Seven seats in AJK remain to be contested due to the security situation. Sanaullah, during his press conference, stated that the people of AJK had vested the PML-N with a mandate. He expressed certainty that the forthcoming elections for the remaining seven seats would enable the party to attain the two-thirds majority goal.

The PML-N leader attributed their electoral victory to their party's dedication to development and public services in AJK. He credited party leader Nawaz Sharif for directly appealing to voters in Muzaffarabad and Mirpur, urging them to back the PML-N to bolster AJK's relationship with the federal government. In their election campaign, the PML-N promised development projects akin to those executed by the Punjab government.

Party leaders hailed the election outcome as a reflection of public support for their vision. PML-N leaders also extended gratitude to voters throughout AJK for backing their candidates and pledged to honor the promises made during the campaign. They affirmed that the newly elected team would prioritize addressing public concerns and enhancing conditions across the region.

PML-N officials revealed that conversations had been held with Abbasi in the days leading up to his party affiliation, discussing collaboration on development projects and governance issues in AJK. He agreed to work alongside the PML-N on matters concerning his constituency and the broader region. Leaders from the PML-N also noted that the former party candidate in LA-14, Raja Faisal Azad, had accepted the election result.

They announced that both political factions in LA-14 would now cooperate to tackle local issues and promote development efforts, asserting that this partnership would bolster governance, public services, and future projects in AJK. Party representatives sought support from all elected members to address the challenges faced in the region.

Referring to the protests and sit-ins in AJK, PML-N leaders contended that most participants were patriotic citizens seeking better opportunities and enhanced living conditions, while a small number harbored different intentions.