MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): The AJK Election Tribunal will announce its decision today, July 16, in the Sharqi Bagh vote rigging case filed by former government minister Sardar Qamar Zaman Khan against Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Sardar Mir Akbar.
In the 2021 general elections, Sardar Mir Akbar had defeated Sardar Qamar Zaman Khan. PPP leader Sardar Qamar Zaman Khan had challenged this election, accusing Sardar Mir Akbar of rigging.
On Monday the Election Tribunal had reserved its decision after both sides completed their arguments.
In March 2025, the Azad Kashmir High Court had ordered the Election Tribunal to make a decision on the petition within two months.
It is worth noting that in the 2021 elections, there was a close contest between Sardar Qamar Zaman Khan and Sardar Mir Akbar. Booths were burnt at some polling stations, that later led to re-polling.
In the re-polling, Sardar Qamar Zaman Khan lost to Sardar Mir Akbar by only 296 votes.
Over 90% vote cast?
To the surprise of many, over 90% vote cast was recorded at some polling stations of Sharqi Bagh constituency.
Sardar Mir Akbar won on a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf ticket, while Sardar Qamar Zaman contested the election on a Pakistan Peoples’ Party ticket.
If rigging is proved, Sardar Mir Akbar may lose seat leading to a re-election that former AJK Prime Minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas could also contest in on the PPP ticket to return to the assembly.
With former Prime Minister Tanveer Ilyas joining the Pakistan Peoples’ Party and his matters with Sardar Qamar Zaman Khan settled, there is now a strong possibility that in case of a re-election in the constituency, Sardar Tanveer Ilyas will be the Pakistan Peoples’ Party candidate.
Sardar Tanveer Ilyas contested and won the last election from the Central Bagh constituency, but the High Court disqualified him later in a controversial speech case. Later, his disqualification was overturned by the Supreme Court.
On the other hand, Sardar Mir Akbar will also have the option to challenge the decision in the Supreme Court.
