Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday congratulated the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leadership and its successful candidates after unofficial results of the AJK elections 2026 showed the party securing a commanding lead in the second phase of polling.
According to unofficial results announced by the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Election Commission, the PML-N won 14 of the 18 seats contested on Sunday, significantly strengthening its position to form the next government in the region.
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), the PML-N’s coalition partner at the federal level, secured the remaining four seats but alleged electoral irregularities, rigging and incidents of violence during polling.
The elections are being held in three phases due to security considerations. The first phase concluded in the Mirpur division, while the second phase covered the Muzaffarabad division and refugee constituencies. The third and final phase will take place in the Poonch division.
PM Shehbaz Says Results Reflect Public Confidence
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, party leaders and the victorious candidates on the party’s performance.
“The continuation of this success is the result of the hard work of Nawaz Sharif and the entire PML-N team,” the prime minister said.
He added that the election outcome reflected the confidence of the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir in the policies and leadership of the ruling party.
The prime minister reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to the development of AJK and pledged continued efforts to improve the welfare and living standards of the region’s residents.
He also appreciated the participation of political parties in the electoral process, saying active democratic engagement would further strengthen democratic institutions.
Breakdown of Unofficial Results
Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal announced the unofficial results during a press conference in Muzaffarabad.
According to the Election Commission, the PML-N secured victories in the following constituencies:
- LA-25: Ghulam Qadir
- LA-30: Mustafa Bashir Abbasi
- LA-31: Saqib Majeed Khan
- LA-32: Raja Farooq Haider Khan
- LA-34: Nasir Dar
- LA-35: Chaudhry Muhammad Ismail
- LA-36: Muhammad Ahsan Raza
- LA-37: Maryam Javed
- LA-38: Zeeshah Ali
- LA-39: Raja Muhammad Siddique Khan
- LA-41: Muhammad Amir Shah
- LA-42: Syed Shawkat Ali Shah
- LA-43: Muhammad Yasin Lone
- LA-44: Ahmad Raza Qadiri
The PPP won the following four constituencies:
- LA-26: Mian Abdul Waheed Khan
- LA-29: Sardar Mukhtar Ahmad Khan
- LA-40: Amir Abdul Ghaffar Khan
- LA-45: Abdul Majid Khan
Polling in LA-27 and at several polling stations in LA-28 was postponed after severe weather conditions and landslides prevented election staff from reaching the affected areas.
Rana Sanaullah Claims PML-N Has Secured Majority
Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah said the PML-N had secured a simple majority in the 45-member Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.
Speaking at a press conference alongside Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam, he said the party had won 23 seats overall, enough to form the next government.
He added that the PML-N had secured four of the seven territorial seats in the Muzaffarabad division, while the PPP won the remaining three.
Rana Sanaullah rejected allegations of electoral rigging and urged the PPP to pursue legal and constitutional avenues if it had concerns regarding the electoral process.
He also accused opposition parties of attempting to create instability and disrupt polling in certain constituencies.
Violence and Rigging Allegations Overshadow Polling
Despite the successful completion of the second phase, several incidents of violence were reported, particularly in Muzaffarabad.
The PPP alleged that one of its workers, Syed Mushtaq Shah, was killed during clashes involving supporters of rival political parties.
The PML-N rejected the allegation, maintaining that the individual had died after suffering a cardiac arrest rather than as a result of violence.
Meanwhile, AJK Legislative Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar claimed there had been an attempt on his life and called for a thorough investigation into the incident.
Election authorities have not yet issued an official response regarding these allegations.
Outside Azad Jammu and Kashmir, polling remained largely peaceful, although voter turnout was reported to be relatively low in several areas, including Mohmand and Dera Ghazi Khan.
Final Phase to Determine Complete Assembly Composition
With two of the three election phases now completed, attention has shifted to the final round of polling in the Poonch division, which will determine the complete composition of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.
The Election Commission is expected to announce the official and complete results after voting concludes in the remaining constituencies. While the unofficial results have given the PML-N a significant advantage, the final phase will formally complete the electoral process and pave the way for the formation of the next AJK government.