In Muzaffarabad, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari emphasized the need for the state to choose between national interests and those of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), while expressing strong criticism of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections process. Addressing a workers’ convention, he extended his gratitude to the people of Mirpur for their support, highlighting that the PPP secured a majority through their votes and now bore the responsibility of safeguarding that mandate.
During the initial phase of the AJK Legislative Assembly elections, unofficial and provisional results showed the PML-N winning nine constituencies, whereas the PPP claimed four seats out of the 13 constituencies in Mirpur. Bilawal questioned the democratic nature of the elections in Azad Kashmir, asserting that PPP candidates had earned majority support aligned with public expectations. He referred to PPP leader Chaudhry Yasin contesting from two constituencies and questioned how he could lose in his own village.
Bilawal alleged that incidents similar to those in previous elections, including gunfire, had recurred, with the PPP having protected its mandate before. He vowed that no one would be allowed to deprive the people of their rights this time. Highlighting security concerns, he questioned how attacks could have taken place at 30 polling stations despite arrangements, stating that such widespread violence could not be justified. He accused the phased election approach of facilitating rigging and described the attacks on polling stations as attempts to manipulate votes.
In a significant development, Bilawal claimed the state appeared to prioritize the PML-N’s interests over the national good, resulting in suffering for Kashmir, Pakistan, and its people. He asserted that the PPP aligned itself with Pakistan’s national interest, not that of the PML-N, urging authorities to acknowledge the damage caused in the name of protecting the latter’s interests. He warned that Azad Kashmir must never resemble Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), criticizing internet shutdowns that contributed to such perceptions and questioning the awareness of political parties and the Kashmiri people about these developments.
Bilawal stated that allegations of election rigging were not new and that prioritizing the PML-N’s interests over national concerns was an ongoing issue. He expressed disappointment that authorities failed to act in Azad Kashmir’s and Pakistan’s best interests and clarified that his remarks were not related to allegations connected to ongoing protests. He suggested that the dispute could have been resolved peacefully without loss of life, lamenting unfulfilled promises for reasons he did not specify.
He reiterated that while the PPP never demanded the abolition of reserved seats, these had often been exploited for political gains. Bilawal maintained that although he did not support accepting all protester demands, a political solution remained possible, and protesters should have pursued constitutional methods. He expressed confidence in his ability to restore peace and resolve Kashmir’s issues but regretted the ongoing loss of life, which he attributed to entrenched ego on both the government’s and protesters’ sides.
Calling for free and transparent elections, Bilawal emphasized the need to accept the PPP’s reconciliation policy to protect Kashmir’s cause. He mourned the deaths of party workers and noted that young people had been mobilized by unfulfilled promises or in response to internet suspensions. He also demanded the formation of an inquiry commission to investigate the situation thoroughly.
Bilawal accused orchestrators of a boycott campaign, calling it the largest conspiracy, and claimed that PTI representatives had misled their own leadership in an unprecedented manner. Urging the public to vote for Kashmir regardless of party affiliation, he called on PPP workers to intensify their efforts to secure victory and prevent alleged rigging. He warned that ongoing speeches might disillusion the public, leading them to believe that elections were repeatedly manipulated.
He concluded by asserting that Kashmiris would never allow their mandate to be stolen, repeating the slogan, “No to stealing Kashmir’s mandate.” He pledged to restore the rights taken from voters in Mirpur and vowed to prevent election fraud in the upcoming Muzaffarabad polls scheduled for August 2. Describing the PPP as a peaceful party committed to constitutional participation, Bilawal condemned attacks on party workers and polling stations, affirming the party’s peaceful intentions but warning of consequences if violence continued, reminding listeners of his lineage as President Zardari’s son.
