PPP

The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections are shaping as a contest between PML-N's Nawaz Sharif and PPP's Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, with both leaders intensifying campaigns. PML-N faces criticism over its perceived role in a crackdown on JAAC protests, while PPP claims the federal government, not the AJK administration, is responsible for the unrest.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari addressed a rally in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) ahead of regional elections on July 27, expressing hope for forming a government and seeking better public support than in previous elections. He criticized a murder case against PPP candidate Javed Badhanvi and pledged employment opportunities and self-government rights for AJK residents.

Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari emphasized dialogue as the key to resolving Balochistan's political issues and achieving lasting peace. He met with Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, who announced plans for a multiparty conference to promote political harmony. A judicial fact-finding commission was established to investigate the Ziarat tragedy.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari proposed abolishing the federal Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and enhancing constitutional empowerment for Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). He emphasized greater regional representation in federal institutions, constitutional reforms via stakeholder consultations, and a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to address unrest in AJK.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari pledged to represent the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) in the federal government and internationally, criticizing the current political leadership for failing to bridge the gap between AJK and the center. He proposed a truth and reconciliation commission to resolve AJK's issues and urged both the government and protesters to halt actions until the commission addresses grievances.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari met with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to discuss the country's situation and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). The meeting occurred ahead of AJK's July 27 elections, as the PPP and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) announced a joint election campaign and the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) called for protests over reserved seats.

PPP candidate Mohammad Naseem and IPP candidate Mohammad Dilpazeer retained their seats in GBA-17 Diamer-III and GBA-15 Diamer-I after re-polling at nine stations. The re-polling followed a court suspension of initial election results due to rigging allegations. A by-election was announced for GBA-09 Skardu-III after a candidate was disqualified for concealing assets.

The PPP staged Sindh-wide rallies condemning India's unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) and its plans to divert Pakistani waters. The party emphasized protecting Pakistan's water rights under the IWT, with leaders like Nisar Ahmed Khuhro and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari advocating for global advocacy and public mobilization.

PPP's Raja Pervez Ashraf stated the upcoming AJK assembly will decide refugee seats, a constitutional issue. He expressed confidence in the party's election victory and warned India against disrupting Pakistan's water share. PPP leadership, including Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, emphasized political dialogue and democratic elections in AJK.

The Gilgit-Baltistan Supreme Appellate Court disqualified PPP candidate Fida Muhammad Nashad for concealing assets in his nomination papers, overturning a lower court's decision that had allowed him to contest. The court found Nashad violated the Election Act by omitting asset details, nullifying the GB Chief Court's order and upholding the election tribunal's disqualification.

A World Bank report on the NFC Award post-18th Amendment highlights that 80% of provincial spending in health and education goes toward salaries, with minimal improvement in service indicators. Local government funding has declined significantly, and provinces have failed to establish fair distribution mechanisms, while political parties have entrenched power in their respective provinces through patronage systems.

Amjad Hussain was sworn in as chief minister of Gilgit-Baltistan following the June 7 elections, where the PPP secured 12 seats in the 24-member assembly. The PPP formed a government with PML-N's support, though PML-N remains in opposition. The swearing-in ceremony, initially scheduled for July 1, was postponed due to Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari's attendance at Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's funeral in Iran.

Advocate Amjad Hussain, the chief minister-elect of Gilgit-Baltistan, will take the oath of office today after a postponement. Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, chairman of the PPP, returned from Iran to attend the ceremony and will help decide the cabinet composition, including three ministries for the Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP). The GB Supreme Appellate Court has ordered re-polling at multiple stations in Diamer.

Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari advocated for direct federal parliamentary representation for Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan during a budget debate, highlighting their distinct constitutional histories and governance challenges. The PPP chairperson emphasized provisional provincial status for Gilgit-Baltistan while maintaining Pakistan’s position on the Kashmir dispute, noting historical grievances over bureaucratic control and colonial-era laws like the Frontier Crimes Regulation.

The PPP's candidate selection for AJK elections faces legal challenges over Asim Sharif Butt's disputed State Subject status. PML-N's Syed Shoukat Ali Shah plans to seek contempt proceedings against PPP leadership for awarding a ticket to Butt, whose certificate was declared invalid by official inquiries. The PPP also reversed candidate decisions in two constituencies.

Former Azad Jammu and Kashmir prime minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas resigned from PPP following disagreements over party ticket distribution. He submitted nomination papers for three constituencies, but the party assigned candidates to LA-15 and LA-22, conflicting with his preferences. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari finalized tickets without him, and Agriculture Minister Ali Shan Soni also resigned from the party.

PPP and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) announced an electoral alliance to contest the July 27 Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) general elections. The decision followed a meeting between PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and JUI-F leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman, emphasizing peaceful democratic resolution of AJK issues and coalition governance in multiple regions.

The swearing-in of Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Advocate Amjad Hussain was postponed due to the unavailability of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, who is attending the funeral of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The CM-elect highlighted the need for federal funds to address the climate crisis and proposed provisional provincial status for GB to counter the Modi government's revocation of Kashmir's special status.

The article discusses the neglect of local governance (LGs) in Pakistan, with political parties PPP and PML-N blaming each other for delays in holding local elections. It highlights structural gaps in governance, the need for constitutional clarity, and the importance of devolving power to local bodies for effective civic management.

PPP Secretary General Nayyar Bokhari emphasized provincial autonomy must remain free from interference and stated there is no concrete information on a proposed 28th constitutional amendment. The amendment could potentially undermine financial autonomy and powers devolved to provinces under the 2010 18th Constitutional Amendment, which expanded provincial control over areas like health and local government.

PPP announced local government elections in Sindh will be held in 2027, sparking a dispute with PML-N over election patterns in Punjab and Islamabad. PPP leader Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari challenged PML-N to hold local polls in 90 days, while PML-N's Saad Rafique opposed adopting Sindh's model. PPP emphasized its past success in Sindh's local governance.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif urged the opposition to address their past actions and sign a Charter of Democracy with the government. He criticized the opposition's recent criticism of the government and referenced historical political conflicts between PPP and PML-N to advocate for reconciliation.

Newly elected members of the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly were sworn in, with 30 representatives including lawmakers, women on reserved seats, and technocrats. Political alliances between PPP, PML-N, and IPP are expected to shape the government, with Advocate Amjad Hussain likely to become chief minister.

PPP Vice President Senator Sherry Rehman stated the party will not support the Pakistan Telecommunication (Amendment) Bill 2026 in the Senate unless it undergoes thorough debate in the standing committee and includes PPP's proposed deletions. The bill, criticized for allowing telecom companies to use public land without fees, was approved by the National Assembly but stalled in the Senate due to objections over clause 27-A, which deals with land acquisition. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif formed a committee to review the bill, but PPP insists revisions must be processed through the Senate committee.

PPP's Amjad Hussain is set to become Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan, marking a shift from the Centre's political dominance. The PPP, with support from PML-N and IPP, aims to grant provisional provincial status to GB. The first session of the GB Assembly will elect key leadership roles.

Sindh's proposed Rs3.5 trillion budget projects a Rs37 billion deficit, with development spending cut by 30% despite infrastructure gaps. Literacy and school enrollment rates in Sindh remain significantly lower than in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the province has failed to improve key development indicators over 15 years of PPP governance.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari announced Advocate Amjad Hussain as the party’s candidate for Gilgit-Baltistan chief minister. The PPP and PML-N have agreed to a power-sharing arrangement where the chief minister will be from PPP and the governor and opposition leader from PML-N.

The article discusses the U.S. military's strategic defeat in a conflict with Iran, highlighting Iran's strengthened regional position and criticism of former President Trump's stance. A temporary 14-point agreement between the U.S. and Iran aims to stabilize the Gulf, but experts argue it does not resolve underlying disputes. Pakistan's role in brokering the deal is noted as a diplomatic achievement.

The Pakistan Telecommunication (Amendment) Bill 2026 was deferred by the Senate Standing Committee on IT and Telecom after criticism over allowing telecom companies to use public land without fees and imposing fines on state agencies. The bill, passed by the National Assembly on June 11, faced objections from PTI senators and was referred to the committee for amendments, with concerns about its scope and potential exploitation.

A Pakistani parliamentary committee criticized the government for collecting climate levies without initiating concrete projects, approved an Islamabad token tax hike, and demanded stricter enforcement of petroleum levies from oil marketing companies. The panel, chaired by Naveed Qamar, emphasized aligning climate policies with IMF commitments and highlighted Pakistan's vulnerability to environmental risks.

PPP will form a government in Gilgit-Baltistan with support from PML-N, mirroring the federal power-sharing arrangement. The coalition includes a chief minister from PPP and a governor and opposition leader from PML-N, prioritizing political stability and democratic values.

PPP supporters blocked the Karakoram Highway in Chilas to protest the declared victory of independent candidate Imam Malik in the GBA-16 Diamer-II election, alleging the process violated legal procedures. The protest disrupted traffic between Gilgit-Baltistan and other parts of Pakistan, with claims that the Election Commission failed to issue official results and counted postal votes improperly.

Gilgit-Baltistan's Supreme Appellate Court suspended election results for three constituencies (GBA-9, GBA-17, GBA-15) due to disqualifications and legal challenges. The court also halted the release of consolidated results for GBA-16 despite orders from the chief election commissioner, citing unresolved disputes and protests.

The budget debate in Pakistan's National Assembly nearly turned violent as lawmakers exchanged harsh words and accusations. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb is set to deliver a winding-up speech, with cut motions to follow. PPP leaders defended BISP allocations and demanded increased funding for agriculture.

PPP leader Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari agreed to participate in the budget debate after a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The two sides discussed addressing PPP's reservations about the federal budget and pledged sustained collaboration between the federal government and provinces for project completion.

PPP Senator Rana Mahmoodul Hassan called for a separate South Punjab province during the Senate budget debate, citing historical and administrative reasons. He demanded an industrial zone, high court, and a share in the National Finance Commission (NFC) award for the region. Other senators from PML-N and independent groups raised issues related to economic policies, solar energy, and governance.

Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Election Commissioner Raja Shahbaz Khan announced decisions on three pending election petitions, awarding the PPP 11 seats. The PML-N secured six seats, independent candidates (now aligned with IPP) won four, PTI-backed candidates two, and MWM one. The HRCP expressed concerns over abrupt changes to re-polling decisions and electoral process integrity.

Four independent candidates elected in Gilgit-Baltistan joined Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) after meeting with party president Abdul Aleem Khan. The IPP, which fielded 16 candidates in the recent elections without winning any seats, now has four assembly members who could influence government formation. PPP and PML-N are negotiating government formation, with PPP holding 11 seats and PML-N six.

The PPP urges protesters in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) to end demonstrations, citing harm to Pakistan’s international reputation and the Kashmir cause. The party’s AJK wing calls for withdrawing the election schedule amid clashes that killed two people in Rawalakot, while the PML-N insists on proceeding with elections. Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari emphasizes resolving grievances through democratic means and highlights a pending US-Iran peace agreement mediated by Pakistan.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari urged protesters in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) to end demonstrations, stating the unrest harms Pakistan's reputation and the Kashmiri cause. He emphasized resolving political disputes through democratic means and highlighted the importance of Pakistan's role in a U.S.-Iran peace pact amid global attention.