Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leaders have hailed the party's victory in the first phase of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections.

Addressing a news conference along with Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry in Islamabad today, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal described the victory as a clear endorsement of the party's development agenda and public confidence in its leadership.

Ahsan Iqbal said the people of Mirpur Division have given the PML-N a decisive mandate by electing its candidates.

He attributed the party's success to its development-oriented governance in Punjab and the federal government's commitment to the progress and prosperity of Azad Kashmir.

Rejecting allegations of electoral rigging by the Pakistan Peoples Party, Ahsan Iqbal said no complaints of irregularities were reported during polling and the allegations surfaced only after the election results were announced.

He said such claims amount to disrespecting the democratic mandate of the people of Azad Kashmir.

The planning minister said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had demonstrated democratic maturity by congratulating the PPP, following the Gilgit-Baltistan elections.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs said the elections were peaceful, transparent and credible.

He also commended the Election Commission of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the administration and law enforcement agencies for ensuring a free and fair electoral process.

Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the party's election campaign focused on extending the federal government and Punjab government's model for development to Azad Kashmir through improved healthcare, education, infrastructure and public services.

He highlighted that the high voter turnout demonstrated people's faith in the democracy and their rejection of calls to boycott the elections.