Muhammad Aman Ullah
Publication Date: July 28, 2026
The True Post — Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N) has emerged as the leading party in the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections, according to unofficial and preliminary results from Mirpur Division.
Early results indicate that PML-N has secured seven seats, while the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has won four seats, with results from a few constituencies still pending.
Tight Contests Across Mirpur Division
Polling took place across 13 constituencies in the districts of Mirpur, Bhimber, and Kotli, where 288 candidates competed for seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly.
Millions of registered voters participated in the electoral process, with several constituencies witnessing closely fought contests between PML-N and PPP candidates. Independent candidates and smaller political parties also contested in the elections.
High-Profile Political Upsets
The election produced several surprising outcomes involving prominent political figures.
PPP President Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin lost his ancestral constituency of Charhoi, while former AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq was defeated in his constituency.
Despite his defeat in Charhoi, Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin successfully won the Kotli City seat, ensuring his return to the legislative assembly.
PML-N Wins Dadyal Seat
In LA-1 Dadyal, Chaudhry Azhar Sadiq of PML-N secured victory with 15,427 votes.
PPP candidate Chaudhry Afsar Shahid finished second after receiving 9,832 votes.
PPP Secures Key Constituencies
The Pakistan Peoples Party recorded important victories in several constituencies.
In LA-2 Chakswari–Islamgarh, Qasim Majeed won the seat with 12,904 votes, defeating PML-N’s Azeem Bakhsh Chaudhry, who received 8,182 votes.
PPP also retained LA-3 Mirpur City, where Yasir Sultan was declared successful after securing 12,590 votes.
PML-N Dominates Bhimber
PML-N strengthened its position in Bhimber, where Chaudhry Tariq Farooq defeated former Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq in LA-7.
Tariq Farooq secured 35,490 votes, while Anwar-ul-Haq received 25,100 votes.
PML-N also maintained an advantage in Barnala and Samahni, although final official results in some constituencies were still pending.
Competitive Battles in Kotli
Several Kotli constituencies witnessed intense competition.
In LA-9 Nakyal, Umair Naeem of PML-N won with 31,037 votes, defeating PPP candidate Javed Iqbal Budhanvi.
Meanwhile, PPP President Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin claimed victory in the Kotli City constituency.
Major Upset in Charhoi
One of the biggest surprises came in LA-12 Charhoi, where Raja Riasat Khan of PML-N defeated PPP President Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin.
Raja Riasat Khan received 35,168 votes, while Yasin secured 30,320 votes, marking one of the most significant upsets of the election.
Election Commission Praises Peaceful Polling
Chief Election Commissioner of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Justice (Retired) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal, said the first phase of the elections concluded in a free, fair, and peaceful manner.
He praised voters for their participation and acknowledged the role of law enforcement agencies in maintaining security throughout polling day.
The Election Commission also confirmed that action had been taken against individuals accused of disrupting polling in Samahni, emphasizing that violations of election laws would not be tolerated.
What Comes Next?
While unofficial results indicate that PML-N has gained an early advantage, the final composition of the Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly will become clearer once all remaining results are officially announced.
Political analysts say the outcome of the remaining constituencies will help determine the balance of power and shape the next phase of government formation in Azad Kashmir.
