Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed fresh unrest following the first phase of its Legislative Assembly elections. Preliminary results show the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) winning nine of the 13 seats decided so far, while the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) secured the remaining four. The elections have been overshadowed by allegations of rigging, an election boycott campaign led by the Awami Action Committee, and reports of violence during protests in Rawalakot. Reports also allege multiple casualties following clashes between protesters and security forces. Reacting to the developments, India rejected the PoJK elections, with the Ministry of External Affairs describing them as a "cosmetic exercise" aimed at masking Pakistan's illegal occupation and alleged human rights violations in the region.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shehbaz Sharif was sworn in as the 24th prime minister of Pakistan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the newly elected Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on March 05. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on March 07 thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for felicitations on his election to the top political office in the country. Shehbaz was administered oath by President Arif Alvi at the Aiwan-i-Sadr in Islamabad. Shehbaz Sharif was elected as the Prime Minister after he secured 201 votes in the National Assembly. The government formation in Pakistan has taken place after protracted talks involving PML(N), PPP and smaller parties.