PML-N likely to form Govt in PoK

Two former so-called prime ministers suffered defeats in their strongholds in the third phase of elections in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), according to unofficial results released on Tuesday.

Pakistan People’s Party’s Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, who is currently serving as the region’s premier, managed to retain his seat in the polls, marred by violence and allegations of rigging.

According to the unofficial results, PPP bagged two seats while Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) and Awami Dast-o-Bazu Party, backed by both Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), won one seat each.

The third phase of voting, which concluded on Monday, was held in four out of 11 constituencies. The voting on the remaining seven seats was postponed “due to concerns over the law-and-order situation”.

The first and second phases of the polls in the region’s so-called legislative assembly were held on July 27 and August 2, and were marred by violent protests and massive rigging allegations.

The region’s election commission has said that the voting for the remaining seats is likely to be held on August 21. India maintains that the entire Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh are integral and inalienable parts of it. New Delhi also asserts that Pakistan has been in “illegal and forcible occupation” of parts of these Union Territories.