The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) has announced its candidates for the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly refugee seats in Jhelum.
These elections are critical for the Kashmiri refugee community in Jhelum to secure political representation and influence within the AJK Assembly. The contest reflects the broader struggle for diaspora voices in the regional government.
Ahmed Khan, a PPP spokesperson, said the party has finalized its slate of candidates for the upcoming AJK elections, including those contesting the refugee seats from Jhelum [1]. The party previously announced a first batch of 35 candidates for the general polls [2].
Competition for the refugee constituencies is high. The Election Commission of Pakistan said 58 candidates have filed nomination papers for the three refugee seats [3]. While some reports suggest only two seats are being contested, official records indicate there are three [3].
Campaigning has already begun in the Jhelum district. Candidates are focusing on the specific needs of the refugee population to build a strong base of support before the polls.
Farooq Ali, a PPP candidate, said the party is confident of winning the refugee seats with the support of the diaspora community [2]. The push for these seats is part of a larger strategy to maximize the party's presence in the legislative body.
The general elections for the AJK Legislative Assembly are scheduled for July 27, 2026 [1].
“"A total of 58 candidates have filed nomination papers for the three refugee constituencies,"”
The high volume of candidates for a small number of refugee seats indicates a surge in political mobilization among the Kashmiri diaspora in Jhelum. By securing these seats, the PPP aims to consolidate its influence over refugee populations, which can serve as a strategic voting bloc in the AJK Legislative Assembly.
