ISLAMABAD: Abdul Aleem Khan, President of the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), pledged on Friday to establish a corruption-free administration and launch significant infrastructure developments in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) if his party wins the upcoming elections on July 27.
Addressing a press conference alongside former AJK Prime Minister Tanveer Ilyas and other recently joined politicians, Khan criticized previous ruling parties for failing to fulfill their election promises and leaving the region underdeveloped.
He emphasized that the IPP would focus on enhancing roads, highways, and tourism infrastructure, highlighting improved connectivity as essential for the region’s economic progress.
Khan announced plans to extend the Murree Expressway to Muzaffarabad and connect it with Mansehra. Additionally, the party intends to build an all-weather expressway from Naran to the Chinese border, providing an alternative to the Karakoram Highway. This new route is expected to remain accessible year-round and reduce travel distance by approximately 150 kilometers.
Holding the communications minister portfolio, Khan stated these projects would boost tourism and generate employment opportunities for local residents. He also committed to transparent governance, taking personal accountability for preventing corruption under an IPP-led government.
“If our party forms the AJK government, corruption will not be tolerated,” he asserted.
Regarding his departure from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Khan explained that he left on principle due to what he described as unjust treatment by PTI leadership. He accused the party of registering politically motivated cases against his family members and the daughter of IPP leader Jahangir Tareen. Khan added that he would have stayed with PTI if relations had not soured.
Rejecting claims that IPP’s growth was due to defections, he cited the party’s strong independent performance in the Gilgit-Baltistan elections as evidence of its genuine support base.
He concluded by stating that the outcome of the AJK election would ultimately be determined by the people of the region and its local leaders.
The Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly election is scheduled for July 27.
