PoK Poll Rigging Claims Spark War Of Words Between Maryam Nawaz & Bilawal Bhutto | Exclusive

Published 29 July 2026 · politics

Allies Maryam Nawaz, Bilawal Bhutto Spar Over PoK Poll Rigging Claims | Exclusive Reported By, Last Updated: July 29, 2026, 13:32 IST A war of

Allies Maryam Nawaz, Bilawal Bhutto Spar Over PoK Poll Rigging Claims | Exclusive Reported By, Last Updated: July 29, 2026, 13:32 IST A war of words has erupted between Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Maryam Nawaz, with both leaders publicly attacking each other over allegations of electoral rigging in the PoK polls Rapid Read Maryam Nawaz, Bilawal Bhutto. (File) Pakistan’s ruling coalition has been hit by fresh political tensions after the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) elections, with coalition partners Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N) trading sharp accusations over the poll outcome. A war of words has erupted between Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Maryam Nawaz, with both leaders publicly attacking each other over allegations of electoral rigging in the PoK polls. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz rejected Bilawal Bhutto’s allegations of poll manipulation, urging the PPP chief to accept the election verdict gracefully.

She said the people of PoK had delivered their mandate and dismissed claims that the polls were rigged. Maryam Nawaz alleged that Bilawal Bhutto’s accusations reflected an “undemocratic mindset" and argued that the PPP was rejected by voters because of its governance record in AJK. She also claimed the party lacked a compelling political narrative and reminded Bilawal that the PPP had been in power in the region before the elections. Stepping up her attack, Maryam Nawaz criticised the PPP’s campaign, alleging the party failed to showcase its governance achievements in Sindh and instead resorted to questioning the election process. She challenged the PPP leadership to focus on public service rather than raising allegations of rigging. Bilawal Bhutto, meanwhile, accused political rivals of electoral malpractice following the AJK election results, intensifying the rift within Pakistan’s ruling coalition as both parties continue to exchange charges over the conduct of the polls.

WHAT BILAWAL BHUTTO SAID Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has alleged widespread irregularities in the first phase of elections in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), accusing the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of attempting to manipulate the electoral outcome. Bilawal claimed that the first phase of polling was “neither free nor fair" and vowed that the PPP would protect the public mandate. Alleging systematic rigging, Bilawal accused the PML-N of attempting to capture nearly 30 polling stations to influence election results, claiming that the party was trying to “steal seats" through unlawful means. He further alleged that an atmosphere of fear and violence had been created to facilitate electoral manipulation and described the reported irregularities as part of a recurring pattern of election interference. The PPP chairman also claimed that polling stations had been “hijacked at gunpoint" and accused elements of the state machinery of being used to influence the electoral process.