(Dunya News) - Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah on Saturday expressed confidence that PML-N would win the third phase of elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and form the government with a two-thirds majority.
Addressing a PML-N election rally in Bagh, Rana Sanaullah said voters in AJK had demonstrated their confidence in the party during the first two phases and the same trend would continue in Bagh and Poonch divisions.
He said Kashmiris had a deep bond with Pakistan, adding that Pakistanis across the country considered Kashmiris an integral part of the nation.
Rana Sanaullah said Kashmiris enjoyed equal rights, respect and opportunities in different parts of Pakistan and had made significant contributions to business, employment and the armed forces.
He also highlighted the sacrifices made by Kashmiris for the defence of Pakistan and Kashmir, saying the people of the region and the Pakistan Army had stood together in defending the country.
Describing the Kashmir freedom movement as part of the struggle for the completion of Pakistan, he said Pakistan could not be considered complete without Kashmir.
He said the bond between Pakistan and Kashmir could not be weakened by any power and described support for PML-N candidates in Bagh and Poonch as another expression of the close ties between the people of the two regions.
Referring to the election results, Sanaullah said PML-N currently had 24 elected members in the AJK Assembly after two phases of polling. With reserved seats, the party’s strength would rise to 30.
He said the party needed six more members to achieve a two-thirds majority. If four more PML-N candidates won from Bagh and Poonch on Aug 10, the party would move closer to securing the required strength.
He expressed confidence that PML-N would also perform well in the remaining seats of Poonch division.
Speaking at the rally, Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam said the large turnout in Bagh, following a similar response in Haveli, showed that Kashmiris stood with PML-N and its leader Nawaz Sharif.
He rejected allegations of electoral rigging levelled by the Pakistan Peoples Party, pointing out that the presidency, prime ministership and other key government positions in AJK had previously been held by the PPP.
Mr Muqam said the AJK electorate had rejected the PPP’s electoral narrative and given PML-N a mandate to form the government.
He attributed the party’s performance to the record of Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, as well as their support for the people of Kashmir.
He said a PML-N government had effectively been formed in AJK and that elected representatives from Bagh would also become part of the government.