MUZAFFARABAD: The first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections concluded on Monday across 13 constituencies in Mirpur Division, with authorities extending polling by one hour before voting ended at 6pm and counting began.

A total of 296 candidates, including contenders from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) and independent hopefuls, were in the running for seats in Mirpur, Kotli and Bhimber districts.

According to election officials, 1,401,439 registered voters were eligible to cast their ballots in the first phase of the elections. The electorate comprised 725,118 men and 675,628 women.

The AJK Election Commission established 2,454 polling stations across Mirpur Division, including 597 in Mirpur district’s four constituencies, 1,107 in six constituencies of Kotli district and 608 in three constituencies of Bhimber district.

Authorities said extensive security measures had been put in place to ensure the smooth conduct of the polls.

AJK Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal warned that strict legal action would be taken against anyone attempting to disrupt the electoral process.

Separately, AJK Chief Secretary Khushhal Khan said the people of Azad Kashmir had rejected “disruptive elements” and expressed confidence in the democratic process.

He added that all state institutions were fully prepared to ensure peaceful elections and warned that the law would take its course against anyone attempting to obstruct the electoral process or disturb public order.

Firing incident
One person was killed and three others injured in a shooting incident at a polling station in LA-9 Kotli-II Nakyal, police said.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Kamran Ali confirmed the fatality, while police said polling was suspended at the polling station following the incident.

PPP candidate Javed Budhanvi identified the deceased as Mukhtar Younis, a party worker, adding that his body had been shifted to the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari expressed grief over the death and extended condolences to the victim’s family.

In a statement, he alleged that gunfire had been opened by supporters of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Umair Niazi, resulting in the death of his party worker.

Polling largely peaceful: Sanaullah
Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah said polling in AJK remained largely peaceful, with only one major untoward incident reported during the electoral process.

In a statement, he said a few minor incidents had occurred, but apart from the firing incident, no significant disruptions were reported.

He added that overall arrangements for polling across AJK were satisfactory.

Sanaullah also noted that hot weather conditions prevailed in the region during the day and suggested extending polling hours to facilitate voters.

PPP slams PML-N
PPP Vice President Senator Sherry Rehman condemned what she described as the PML-N’s attempts to make the Azad Kashmir elections controversial, alleging that the party was doing so out of fear of defeat.

She said the people of Kashmir were politically aware and capable of making their own decisions, adding that the relationship between the Kashmiri people and the PPP spanned many years.

Rehman questioned why the PML-N objected if the people of Kashmir wanted to vote for the PPP, asserting that the party could not snatch the public mandate through what she termed underhand tactics.

She maintained that regardless of the methods employed by the PML-N, victory would belong to the PPP.

PPP Information Secretary Shazia Marri said the people of Kashmir would deliver their verdict through the elections.

She described the PPP’s arrow election symbol as a symbol of hope for the people of Mirpur and claimed that rival parties’ camps were silent ahead of the vote.

In a video message alongside his sister Asifa Bhutto-Zardari, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari urged voters to come out and cast their ballots if they wanted Kashmir’s future to be decided by the Kashmiri people.

He appealed to voters to stamp the PPP’s arrow symbol and ensure the party’s candidates were elected.

Separately, senior PPP leader Nadeem Afzal Chan expressed concerns over what he alleged was federal interference and the use of official resources in the Azad Kashmir elections.

He called for the polls to be conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner and urged the federal government and its machinery to refrain from any form of interference in the electoral process.

Ballot box set on fire
In LA-6 Bhimber, a clash broke out between workers of two political parties at the Darbar Baba Shadi Shaheed polling station.

PML-N candidate Abdul Razzaq Chaudhry alleged that workers of the rival party started the altercation. He also claimed that IPP workers created a disturbance at Polling Station No. 95.

According to Chaudhry, polling was suspended at both polling stations following the incidents.

The District Returning Officer (DRO) confirmed that a clash had been reported at a polling station in Darbar Baba Shadi Shaheed.

The DRO said miscreants snatched a ballot box and set it on fire, adding that the box contained 232 votes.

The returning officer and security personnel were present at the polling station, while legal action would be taken against those involved.

The DRO said a decision on whether re-polling would be held at the affected polling station would be made later. He added that the situation remained normal at all other polling stations.

The DRO further said that former prime minister Anwarul Haq had also lodged a complaint regarding LA-7. He said he personally visited the polling stations where complaints had been raised and that Anwarul Haq’s polling agents were present there.

RAWALPINDI, JUL 27 /DNA/ – General Syed Aamer Raza, HI (M), S Bt was presented Guard of Honour on being appointed as Commander National Strategic Command. The General laid floral wreath at Yadgar-e-Shuhada and offered Fateha to pay tribute to the Shuhada.

CNSC later called on the Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, Chief of Army Staff & Chief of Defence Forces at General Headquarters. The Field Marshal congratulated the General Officer on assumption of command.

RAWALPINDI, JUL 27 /DNA/ – Ryan Keith Zinke, Member House of Representatives (State of Montana) and Mr. Michael James, Member House of Representatives (State of Washington) called on Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, Chief of Army Staff & Chief of Defence Forces, at General Headquarters (GHQ), Rawalpindi.

During the meeting, discussions focused on matters of mutual interest, regional security, bilateral defense cooperation and avenues for enhancing economic collaboration and prosperity.

​The Field Marshal highlighted Pakistan’s vast economic potential, emphasizing that sustainable regional stability is deeply anchored in economic growth, trade expansion and connectivity. He underscored Pakistan’s ongoing structural reforms aimed at fostering a business friendly environment and attracting foreign investment.

​The visiting dignitaries acknowledged Pakistan’s critical role in regional stability and economic resilience. Recognizing the professional backgrounds and insights of the delegation, both sides discussed potential opportunities for bilateral economic engagement, private sector partnerships and enhancing bilateral trade ties.

​The visiting delegation thanked the military leadership for the warm hospitality and expressed a shared commitment to promoting deeper economic, commercial and institutional linkages between the United States and Pakistan.

DNA

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has announced the launch of an Evening Shift for Consular Services at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, aimed at improving public service delivery and accessibility.

Under the new schedule, citizens can now avail consular services from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, ensuring greater convenience and efficiency.

Dar said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to modernizing operations and serving the public more effectively. Details of the revised timings have been shared in the official public notice issued by the ministry.

ISLAMABAD, Jul 27 /DNA/ – Pakistan on Monday issued a forceful condemnation of recent statements made by India’s Defence Minister regarding the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir, labeling the comments as “highly provocative” and a direct threat to regional stability.

In an official statement released from Islamabad, the Pakistani government accused New Delhi of distorting the historical and legal status of the Kashmir dispute, which remains on the United Nations Security Council’s agenda. Officials asserted that the Indian minister’s rhetoric deliberately misrepresents the facts and reflects a “deliberate policy” aimed at undermining international peace.

“Such insinuations are an attempt to divert attention from India’s continued occupation of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK), its sponsorship of terrorism across the region, as well as its domestic instability,” the statement read.

Pakistan further warned India against what it termed “misplaced rhetoric of aggression,” stressing that New Delhi should not underestimate the resolve of the Pakistani people or its armed forces. The government pointed to last year’s Operation Bunyan-ul-Marsoos as a clear demonstration of Pakistan’s capacity and determination to “thwart any Indian adventurism.”

Calling on the global community to intervene, Pakistan urged the United Nations to take immediate notice of India’s “rogue behavior.” The statement demanded that India be held accountable for failing to implement UN Security Council resolutions that guarantee the right to self-determination for the Kashmiri people.

As of Monday evening, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs had not yet issued a formal response to Pakistan’s accusations. Tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors have remained volatile since the abrogation of Article 370 by India in 2019, with both nations routinely exchanging diplomatic barbs over the region.

LAHORE: The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) on Sunday issued a glacial lake outburst flood (Glof) alert for northern areas of the country.

According to the PDMA, rising temperatures coupled with intermittent rainfall could accelerate glacier melt, increasing both the volume and water levels of glacial lakes.

The advisory comes as thousands of tourists, including many from Punjab and Lahore, travel to the northern regions during the summer season.

The authority has warned that the sudden bursting of glacial lakes could trigger flash floods and rapidly rising water levels, posing a serious threat to lives, property, and infrastructure.

District administrations in Upper Chitral, Lower Chitral, Upper Dir, Swat, Upper Kohistan and Mansehra have been placed on high alert.

Authorities have been directed to ensure continuous monitoring of vulnerable locations, issue timely warnings, conduct evacuation drills in high-risk areas, and prepare designated safe shelters.

Tourists and travellers have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel, camping and trekking in vulnerable areas.

The PDMA has also cautioned motorists against attempting to cross fast-flowing streams and floodwaters, warning that vehicles can be swept away by strong currents.

A Glof is a sudden and potentially devastating flood that occurs when a natural dam of ice or loose rock containing a glacial lake fails.

Such events are commonly triggered by rising temperatures, heavy rainfall or seismic activity, releasing large volumes of water downstream within a short period.