Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister (AJKPM) Faisal Mumtaz Rathore on Saturday alleged that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) was not provided a level playing field in the recent general elections and that various tactics were used to facilitate the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

The premier was speaking to a delegation of the All Kashmir Newspaper Society (AKNS), led by its president, Sardar Zahid Tabassum.

He said the biggest challenge facing the newly formed AJK government was dealing with the situation arising from the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) movement, stressing that dialogue was the only viable way to resolve the crisis.

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Rathore said a Truth Commission, as proposed by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, could provide all stakeholders with a way out of the prevailing crisis.

Discussing the election results in Haveli, Rathore said the constituency’s elections had been unnecessarily made controversial, whereas the 2026 polls were among the most peaceful in the district’s history.

He recalled that following the 2011 elections, Haveli remained tense for nearly a month, with several shops set ablaze and property damaged. The 2016 elections also witnessed loss of life and unrest, while tensions were reported during the 2021 polls as well. “In comparison, the 2026 elections were among the most peaceful elections held in Haveli,” he said.

Rathore said that as prime minister, he had not interfered in the electoral process in any way. Responding to allegations of rigging levelled by PML-N candidate Chaudhry Mohsin Aziz, he said the PPP would respond at every legal and constitutional forum.

“If any candidate has a complaint regarding electoral irregularities, constitutional and legal forums, including the election tribunal, are available to seek redress with evidence,” he said.

The prime minister reiterated that the PPP’s position was clear: it had not been provided a level playing field during the elections and various tactics were allegedly employed to ensure the PML-N’s success.

Also Read: PML-N consolidates lead with 23 seats in AJK elections, PPP stands second with nine

He claimed that in some constituencies, including Nakyal, Sehnsa, Khuiratta, Charhoi, Kotla and Khawara, where the PPP had initially emerged victorious, the results were subsequently changed to show the party as defeated.

According to Rathore, several meetings had already taken place between the central leaderships of the PPP and PML-N regarding electoral issues, with the PML-N leadership also assuring the PPP that its complaints would be addressed.

Rathore said he regretted that the PML-N leadership in AJK had pushed for elections in haste in pursuit of power. “Our position was that peace should first be restored in the state and elections should then be held. However, the PML-N insisted on holding elections and forming a government at all costs,” he said.

He said this approach had left AJK facing multiple challenges.

Responding to a question about his government’s performance, Rathore said his administration had delivered despite having remained in office for only around eight months and facing difficult financial circumstances.

He said the government had taken practical measures in governance, education, health, infrastructure and digital services. Around Rs7 billion had been allocated for the Out-of-School Children programme, while efforts were made to restore education and healthcare systems.

The government also advanced projects for major hospitals and a medical college and initiated several infrastructure and public-facility schemes, he added.

On digital connectivity, Rathore said the government had approved an optical fibre project and taken policy measures regarding trials of 5G technology in AJK.

He said his administration had also focused on expanding IT and digital opportunities for young people, promoting tourism, developing energy and infrastructure projects, and introducing reforms in government institutions.

PM Rathore said austerity measures had also been introduced to ensure the effective use of public resources, including a decision to reduce fuel expenditure on government vehicles.

He maintained that despite the government’s short tenure and difficult financial conditions, the administration continued the development process and took several steps to address public grievances.