MUZAFFARABAD: Senior Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Qamar Zaman Kaira has alleged that Chaudhry Latif Akbar, President of the PPP Azad Jammu and Kashmir chapter, was attacked during the ongoing AJK elections. He also claimed that a PPP worker had been killed, although officials had not independently confirmed the report at the time of his remarks.
Addressing a press conference in Muzaffarabad alongside PPP leader Chaudhry Majeed, Kaira criticized the conduct of the electoral process and expressed concerns over the security situation.
He said the PPP had reservations about the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections but nevertheless decided to participate in the second phase in the interest of the democratic process.
According to Kaira, the party had repeatedly warned about the deteriorating law and order situation since the start of the election process.
“Since the elections began, there has been an atmosphere of tension. The law and order situation was also unsatisfactory. We had reservations about the three-phase election schedule, but despite those concerns, we participated in the elections,” he said.
Kaira alleged that despite the PPP’s repeated warnings, Chaudhry Latif Akbar was subjected to what he described as an assassination attempt in his constituency.
He further claimed that the party had received reports that one of its workers had been killed during the incident.
“Despite our repeated warnings, Chaudhry Latif Akbar was attacked in his constituency. We have also received information that one of our party workers has been martyred,” Kaira stated.
The PPP leader questioned the credibility of the electoral process and argued that such incidents could undermine public confidence in the legitimacy of the elections.
He said the party expected the Election Commission and relevant authorities to investigate the alleged attack and ensure the safety of candidates, political workers, and voters.
At the time of reporting, the allegations made by the PPP had not been independently verified, and the Election Commission of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, law enforcement agencies, and other relevant authorities had not issued an official statement regarding the reported attack or the claimed casualty.
The second phase of the AJK elections continues under heightened security, with authorities monitoring the situation across polling stations and political parties closely observing developments.
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