Muzaffarabad, June 9, 2023 (Azadi Times): Pakistan Peoples Party Azad Kashmir (PPPAJK) candidate Sardar Zia Qamar has been elected to the Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly, winning 5270 votes in the by-election for Constituency LA-15 Bagh-II.
The by-election was held on Thursday to fill the seat that fell vacant after the disqualification of former Prime Minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas by the High Court of Azad Kashmir.
Qamar defeated his nearest rival, PML-N candidate Mushtaq Ahmad Minhas, by a margin of 20485 votes. PTI’s Colonel Retired Raja Zameer Khan came in third with 4942 votes.
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The turnout in the by-election was 55%.
Qamar’s victory is a major boost for the PPP in Azad Kashmir. The party is currently in opposition in the assembly.
Qamar is a former minister in the Azad Kashmir government. He is also the son of former Prime Minister Sardar Muhammad Ibrahim Khan.
In his victory speech, Qamar thanked the people of Bagh for their support. He said that he would work hard to fulfill the promises he made during his campaign.
Qamar’s victory is a setback for the PML-N and PTI. Both parties had been hoping to win the by-election and gain a foothold in the Azad Kashmir assembly.
The by-election was seen as a test of strength for the three major political parties in Azad Kashmir. The result shows that the PPP is still a major force in the region, despite being in opposition.
The PML-N and PTI will need to do more to win back the support of the people of Azad Kashmir if they want to be successful in the next general elections.
