Murray – Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has termed the recent election results of Azad Kashmir as an expression of confidence for the PML-N and said that now the real test of the party has begun. She urged the new government to immediately focus on solving public problems and development works.
Addressing the meeting of the PML-N Azad Kashmir parliamentary party in Murree, Maryam Nawaz said that despite the difficult political situation, the voters of Azad Kashmir expressed their decision through votes. According to her, the people preferred the narrative of development and construction.
Maryam Nawaz also criticized the allegations of rigging by the PPP. He said that no such objections were raised against the PPP’s victory in Gilgit-Baltistan, while after the defeat in Azad Kashmir, a stand of rigging was taken.
However, the PPP has maintained its reservations over the results of Azad Kashmir. Party leaders have raised questions about the electoral process and results in some constituencies. The PML-N has been rejecting these allegations.
Maryam Nawaz also mentioned the tension that arose during the recent elections in her speech. According to her, instead of protests, strikes and political clashes, the way to decide through votes is more effective.
She said that some elements wanted to create a political distance between Pakistan and Azad Kashmir. According to her, voters rejected such trends by participating in the electoral process.
The Punjab Chief Minister reminded the PML-N leaders that electoral success is not a destination but the beginning of a new responsibility. He demanded that party workers and elected representatives immediately start public service.
According to Maryam Nawaz, practical work should be a priority after government formation instead of protocol and formal activities. Increasing the pace of development projects in Azad Kashmir will now be the party’s main responsibility.
Nawaz Sharif also stressed in the same meeting to provide maximum development resources for Azad Kashmir. He spoke of prioritizing roads, hospitals, education and other basic facilities.
These statements have come at a time when the PML-N has gained a clear lead in the Azad Kashmir Assembly. After the latest results, the party has won 25 seats, while the number of seats of the PPP has reached 12.
Maryam Nawaz also referred to the 2021 elections in her address. However, according to the available election records, the PML-N had won a total of six seats in that election, while the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf had won 25 seats.
In this context, the PML-N’s current lead in the 2026 elections indicates a significant political change. The party is now in a position to form the government again in Azad Kashmir after a decade.
However, with electoral success, there are also political challenges. The PPP’s allegations of rigging have strained relations between the two coalition parties.
In this context, Nawaz Sharif appealed not to turn political differences into hostility. He said that both parties should maintain mutual respect despite political competition.
Maryum Nawaz indicated that development activities in Azad Kashmir would be given immediate priority after the electoral victory. Roads, health, education, employment and basic amenities are important public demands in the region.
Security and political tensions were also prominent in the recent electoral environment. Polling was affected in some constituencies due to law and order issues and re-polling had to be conducted.
In this situation, only an electoral mandate will not be enough for the new government. It will also have to focus on reducing political differences and improving administrative performance.
Overall, two messages were prominent in Maryam Nawaz’s speech. First, the PML-N considers its electoral victory as public trust. Second, it is now the party’s main responsibility to convert this trust into development performance.
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