Fresh political friction has emerged between Pakistan's two main ruling coalition partners, with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari alleging that internal PML-N elements are actively working against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Speaking at an election rally in Azad Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, Bilawal stopped short of blaming the premier directly, instead pointing to hostile forces within his own party. Main Developments Bilawal's remarks come amid a growing war of words between the PPP and PML-N following the latter's strong performance in AJK elections. The PML-N has taken a commanding lead in the first two phases of polling, while the PPP has accused its rival of rigging and employing violent tactics. Read also: Karachi Traffic Snarled as JI Sit-Ins Disrupt Major Roads "High-profile people are saying that the government has collapsed," Bilawal told the crowd, distancing himself from such claims. He defended the prime minister as "a good man with good intentions" but questioned the motives of those surrounding him, asking what Shehbaz can accomplish "when the people around him have bad intentions." The PPP chief referenced his earlier statements about a "countdown" to the government's collapse, clarifying that his party did not initiate such talk. Instead, he alleged that "a large part of the PML-N" wants the prime minister to fight not only the opposition but also his own allies, suggesting the real conflict lies within the ruling party itself. Bilawal also seized on the logistical controversy surrounding the AJK elections, questioning why polling was being conducted in multiple phases rather than on a single day. "Have there ever been elections held in six phases in Kashmir's history?" he asked, alleging that the staggered schedule was designed to facilitate rigging. He claimed authorities knew "10 seats were in their pocket from the start" and accused them of robbing Mirpur and Muzaffarabad through electoral manipulation. Background Elections in AJK are being held across three phases, with polls in Mirpur and Muzaffarabad divisions completed on July 27 and August 2 respectively. The PML-N secured nine of thirteen seats in Mirpur, while the PPP won the remaining four. In Muzaffarabad, the PML-N added fifteen more seats to its tally against six for the PPP. The third phase, originally scheduled for August 10 across Poonch Division's eleven constituencies, has been revised. The AJK Election Commission announced that polling will now only proceed in Bagh and Haveli districts on that date, citing concerns over the law and order situation in Poonch district and Sudhnoti's Pallandri area, based on a report from the AJK home secretary. This decision follows clashes between protesters and law enforcement in Rawalakot on July 27, which reportedly resulted in several casualties. The region has experienced unrest since early June, with the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) staging periodic sit-ins demanding the abolishment of twelve seats reserved for refugees from Indian-held Kashmir. The government has blamed "militant elements pursuing a foreign agenda and backed by Indian funding" for fomenting the unrest. Why It Matters The public spat between coalition partners threatens to destabilize the federal government at a time when it faces multiple challenges. Bilawal's allegations of internal sabotage within the PML-N could deepen mistrust between the two parties, complicating governance and legislative cooperation. The AJK election controversy also carries significant political weight, as the region's electoral integrity has become a flashpoint. With the PPP alleging systematic rigging and the government pointing to foreign-backed militant interference, the credibility of the electoral process itself is now under scrutiny. What's Next Polls in Bagh and Haveli districts are set to proceed on August 10, while voting in Poonch district and Pallandri remains suspended pending further review of the security situation. The AJK Election Commission has not announced a revised date for these constituencies. Bilawal's warning that "those in Poonch and Bagh hunt tigers" suggests the PPP intends to contest the remaining seats fiercely. The outcome of the third phase will determine whether the PML-N's dominance continues or whether the PPP can narrow the gap, potentially reshaping the political dynamics both in AJK and at the federal level.