PML-N president urges political opponents to maintain tolerance and democratic disagreement amid tensions following the Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections.
MURREE, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif has called for political tolerance, saying rivalry is a normal part of politics but differences should not be allowed to turn into hostility or enmity.
Addressing a PML-N meeting in Murree on Saturday, Nawaz Sharif also discussed the political situation following the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections, where tensions have emerged between the PML-N and its coalition partner, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
Nawaz calls for political tolerance
Nawaz said political opponents should maintain tolerance and keep their differences within the boundaries of democratic disagreement.
He stressed that hostility should have no place in politics and said the PML-N had traditionally treated its political opponents with respect.
His remarks come amid growing political friction following the AJK elections, in which the PML-N secured a majority in the first two phases while the PPP raised allegations of rigging.
PPP objections surprise PML-N chief
Nawaz said he had not expected the PPP to raise objections over the AJK elections because the party had previously been in power in the region.
He described the political environment emerging during the elections as a matter of concern and attributed the situation to the failure of previous governments to fulfil their responsibilities.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has separately criticised the federal government’s handling of the situation and said its “countdown has begun,” according to Geo News.
PML-N claims majority in AJK polls
The PML-N has won 24 seats after the first two phases of the three-phase AJK elections, while the PPP has secured 10 seats during the same period.
The final phase of polling has yet to be completed, meaning the electoral process remains ongoing.
Nawaz said the PML-N would form the government in AJK and pledged to fulfil the commitments made to voters during the election campaign.
He also praised party workers and leaders for their performance in the polls.
Nawaz promises development in Azad Kashmir
The PML-N president called for maximum funds to be allocated to Azad Kashmir and said the welfare and development of its people should remain a government priority.
Nawaz said AJK residents were looking towards Punjab, where he credited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz with advancing development initiatives.
He pledged that his party would seek to replicate its development model in Azad Kashmir.
Nawaz praises Shehbaz government
Nawaz also praised Shehbaz Sharif and his team for their efforts to address Pakistan’s economic challenges.
He said the situation had been difficult when Shehbaz assumed office but claimed that conditions were improving gradually.
Nawaz further said the government was working to reduce Pakistan’s dependence on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and move towards greater economic self-reliance.
The PML-N president’s call for political tolerance comes as tensions between coalition partners over the AJK elections test relations within the ruling alliance.
