Political parties in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) ramped up their electioneering on Saturday for the 2026 Legislative Assembly polls, unveiling candidates and finalizing campaign blueprints. The Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) announced candidates for 35 out of the total constituencies, with party President Aleem Khan personally distributing tickets to nominees. AJK IPP President Sardar Tanveer Ilyas, who accompanied Aleem Khan during the announcement, will contest from three constituencies: LA-15, LA-22, and LA-25. The party stated that candidates for the remaining seats would be announced later.
IPP Ticket Distribution
The IPP awarded tickets to candidates across various constituencies in AJK. Sardar Tanveer Ilyas, a key figure in the party, will run in multiple seats, reflecting the party's strategy to field strong contenders in key areas. The party's decision to announce candidates early signals its intent to mount a vigorous campaign.
Muslim Conference Announces 37 Candidates
Separately, the All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference (AJKMC) unveiled a list of 37 candidates for the upcoming polls. According to the party, tickets have been allotted for 29 general constituencies in AJK, five Jammu refugee constituencies, and three Valley refugee constituencies. The party fielded Chaudhry Shaukat Ali from LA-1 Dadyal, Muhammad Shakoor Mughal from LA-3 Mirpur, Raja Zafar Maroof from LA-4 Khari Sharif, Mirza Muhammad Shafi Jalal from LA-5 Barnala, Chaudhry Khizar Hayat from LA-6 Samahni, and Raja Tahir Iqbal Khan from LA-7 Bhimber.
Other notable candidates include Sardar Atiq Ahmed Khan from LA-14 Anderkot, Sardar Abdul Rashid Chughtai from LA-15 Central Bagh, Sardar Azhar Nazir Khan from LA-21 Rawalakot City, Sardar Abid Raza Khan from LA-23 Pallandri, Sajjad Anwar Abbasi from LA-29 Muzaffarabad, Syed Tasawur Abbas Mousvi from LA-30 Hattian Bala, and Khawaja Dilawar Wani from LA-45 Valley-6. The diverse list reflects the party's outreach to both general and refugee constituencies.
PML-N High-Level Meeting in Lahore
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) convened a high-level meeting in Lahore to review preparations for the AJK election campaign. The meeting, chaired by senior PML-N leader Saad Rafique at Model Town, assigned responsibilities to party leaders for the election campaign and reviewed organisational arrangements to ensure an effective and coordinated campaign. The PML-N's focus on organisational readiness indicates its aim to capitalise on its political infrastructure in the region.
The AJK Legislative Assembly elections are expected to be a key test for all major political parties, with the IPP, Muslim Conference, and PML-N each seeking to expand their influence in the region. The announcements on Saturday mark the beginning of an intense election season in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
