MUZAFFARABAD (Muhammad Aslam Mir) – A major political upset has emerged in the third phase of the 2026 general elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), with Sardar Sajid Iqbal taking a commanding lead over former AJK prime minister and Muslim Conference leader Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan in constituency LA-14 Western Bagh, Dhirkot.
According to unofficial results received from the constituency, Iqbal has secured 25,548 votes from 130 of the constituency's 214 polling stations, while Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan has received 12,511 votes. Iqbal currently holds a lead of 13,037 votes over the former premier.
The scale of the lead has placed Iqbal in a strong position as counting continues across the remaining polling stations. Reports from Dhirkot indicate that the results still to come do not appear sufficient to erase his existing advantage. However, the result cannot be considered final until all polling stations have reported and the Election Commission of Azad Jammu and Kashmir formally announces the outcome.
Major upset
The contest has attracted particular attention because of the long-standing political influence of Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan's family in AJK. The family has maintained a prominent presence in the region's politics for more than seven decades, making the emerging result in LA-14 Western Bagh an unusual development in the territory's electoral landscape.
Sardar Sajid Iqbal contested the election with the backing of Jamaat-e-Islami and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), while Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan entered the race as a candidate of the Muslim Conference.
The constituency witnessed intense political activity during the election campaign, with supporters of both candidates actively mobilising voters ahead of polling. The contest was closely watched because of Attique Ahmed Khan's political standing and his family's established influence in the area.
Counting continues
Large numbers of voters turned out at polling stations across the constituency on polling day. Special security arrangements were also put in place at various polling stations to maintain law and order and ensure the polling process remained peaceful.
With 130 polling stations counted, Iqbal's lead of more than 13,000 votes has triggered celebrations among his supporters, while the result represents a major political setback for Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan.
The remaining 84 polling stations will determine whether Iqbal can maintain his substantial advantage through the final count. The final position in LA-14 Western Bagh will become clear once results from all 214 polling stations have been received.
The Election Commission of Azad Jammu and Kashmir will formally confirm the successful candidate after completion of the counting process and the official announcement of the constituency's result.
As per the latest unofficial figures, Sardar Sajid Iqbal remains in first place with 25,548 votes, followed by Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan with 12,511 votes.