Islamabad: Facing mounting unrest and violent protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Pakistan has attempted to shift the spotlight onto India by levelling fresh allegations without presenting any supporting evidence. Rana Sanaullah, Adviser to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, claimed that India was behind the election boycott campaign and anti-poll protests, alleging they formed part of what he called “Operation Sindoor 2.0”. He offered no evidence to substantiate the claim.
In an interview with a Pakistani television channel, Sanaullah alleged that the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) had mobilised public opposition to the PoK Assembly elections and urged voters to boycott the polls. He further claimed that efforts to disrupt the electoral process pointed to a hidden agenda, which he attempted to link to India.
The Pakistani Prime Minister’s adviser went on to assert that had the elections been halted, the alleged objectives of “Operation Sindoor 2.0” would have been achieved. However, he failed to explain what evidence supported his assertion that India had planned or executed any such operation.
The allegations come even as Pakistan grapples with deep public discontent in PoK, where weeks of violent protests reportedly left around 40 people dead before polling began. Critics have argued that the unrest reflects long-standing grievances over governance, political representation and civil rights rather than any substantiated external conspiracy.
Despite the turbulence, the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) (PML-N) appears poised to retain control of the region. According to election officials, candidates backed by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif have secured 24 of the 34 seats declared so far, placing the party in a strong position to form the next government. Voting for the remaining 11 seats is scheduled for 10 August.
India Calls PoK Polls a ‘Sham’, Rejects Pakistan’s Claims
India has categorically dismissed the PoK Assembly elections as a “complete sham”, maintaining that Pakistan cannot legitimise its control over the territory through electoral exercises.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the elections could not mask the reality of alleged human rights violations, political repression and continuing unrest in the region. He asserted that public protests and reported killings in PoK expose the ground situation despite Pakistan’s attempts to project democratic legitimacy.
New Delhi has also urged the international community to hold Pakistan accountable for alleged human rights violations in PoK, reiterating that elections organised under Pakistan’s control cannot alter India’s consistent position that the territory remains an integral part of India.
