Shehbaz Sharif's PML-N wins 24/34 seats in PoJK elections
What's the story
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has won 24 of the 34 seats in the first two phases of legislative elections in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). This is the party's first return to power in the region in a decade. The remaining 11 seats are scheduled to go to the polls on August 10.
Controversial elections
Elections marred by violence, protests
The elections were marred by allegations of vote rigging, widespread violence, and protests demanding greater autonomy from Pakistani rule.
The Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), which has been leading a months-long movement for more autonomy, had called for a boycott of the vote.
However, the authorities claimed that numerous localities, including the regional capital of Muzaffarabad, had achieved voter turnout of more than 50%.
Accusations leveled
PPP accuses PML-N of stealing the election
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has accused the PML-N of "robbing the votes of the people through bullets, batons, and coercion."
Although PPP is a coalition partner of Shehbaz's government, Bilawal ran a sharp campaign against PML-N in PoJK.
He accused them of an "anti-Kashmir" agenda and claimed they wanted to strip key powers from PoJK's premier.
Violence toll
Death toll from crackdown reaches 30
The JAAC reported that 30 people were killed during the first two days of the elections in the government's crackdown.
The exact toll is difficult to ascertain due to an information blackout and internet suspension since June.
The unrest began as a demand to abolish 12 assembly seats reserved for refugees from Jammu and Kashmir who settled in Pakistan after 1947. It has now become the largest movement against Pakistani rule in years, with protests openly defying Islamabad's control.
Rising unrest
Unrest against Pakistan army, its actions
The unrest began as a demand to abolish 12 assembly seats reserved for refugees from Jammu and Kashmir who settled in Pakistan after 1947.
It has now become the largest movement against Pakistani rule in years, with protests openly defying Islamabad's control and accusing the Pakistan Army of terrorism.
The movement is largely led by the JAAC, which has been demanding greater autonomy for PoJK.