Coalition Partners Turn On Each Other As Sindh Minister Ghani Blames PML-N For Kotli Shooting While Punjab Minister Azma Bokhari Shows Video Of Ballot Papers At PPP Candidate’s Residence
According to The Express Tribune, Pakistan’s ruling coalition fractured publicly on polling day as the PPP and PML-N; partners in the federal government, accused each other of rigging during the first phase of AJK Legislative Assembly elections on July 27, 2026.
Sindh Local Governments Minister Saeed Ghani confirmed that 35-year-old PPP worker Mukhtar Younus was shot dead during polling in Nikyal, Kotli, and accused PML-N supporters of being behind the killing. “The way this election campaign was conducted, the result is that bullets are being fired today,” he said, adding that the Election Commission’s role was “simply not visible.”
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari hit back, sharing a video claiming ballot papers were found at the residence of a PPP candidate in Kotli. “Yesterday they said they would not let rigging happen. Today they are rigging,” she said.
Ghani also accused the Punjab government of trying to influence voters by announcing electric buses for AJK during the campaign period, while Azma defended the PML-N’s governance record and called for elections fought on manifestos rather than “disrespectful criticism.”
Two governing coalition partners. One dead worker. Competing allegations. The election has already produced its first casualty. Check out our previous coverage of Pakistan affairs on The Trusted Times.
