PML-N President Nawaz Sharif sought to cool growing tensions with coalition partner PPP on Saturday, saying electoral disagreements were a normal part of politics but should never turn into personal hostility.
Speaking at a PML-N convention in Murree, Nawaz congratulated candidates who had won in the recent Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections and encouraged those who lost to assess the reasons behind their defeats.
The former prime minister acknowledged strains between the two coalition partners, saying he had been disappointed by complaints coming from the PPP, which governs AJK.
“We have always maintained cordial relations with our political opponents. Differences are part of politics, particularly during elections, but they should not reach a point where they breed animosity,” Nawaz said. “That is not appropriate.”
He said the PML-N had fought a vigorous campaign in a highly competitive election but had not anticipated such grievances from the PPP.
Nawaz stressed that political relations in AJK had traditionally remained cordial and urged the parties not to allow the current dispute to undermine that environment.
Turning to his own party’s performance, he expressed disappointment over the loss of several seats despite what he described as strong candidates and a determined campaign.
“We may lose a seat, but we will not lose our courage, God willing,” he said, calling on the party to identify the factors behind its electoral setbacks.
Nawaz noted that the AJK elections were being conducted in phases, adding that the PML-N had secured a majority in the first two stages while the third phase remained incomplete.