Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has declared that the system in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has failed, urging for free and fair elections to restore order. Addressing the escalating crisis in the region, he described it as the clearest indication of systemic collapse.
Bilawal pledged to reclaim the seats he described as stolen, assuring the people of Azad Kashmir that solutions would follow despite the system’s breakdown. He emphasized the PPP’s commitment to restoring peace so that everyday life could resume for the residents.
He criticized the government for its unwillingness to conduct transparent elections or establish a commission to resolve the ongoing issues. Bilawal accused authorities of initially claiming to have secured 10 seats and subsequently rigging elections in Mirpur and Muzaffarabad. He noted that 11 seats remain contested and warned the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) that consequences would follow.
In a significant development, Bilawal highlighted that attempts to form a government in Muzaffarabad had endangered the Islamabad administration. He also reported attacks on the Azad Kashmir president and an elected Member of the National Assembly (MNA) in Muzaffarabad, reaffirming PPP’s solidarity with the people throughout these challenges.
Bilawal asserted that the future of Kashmir should be determined by its people. He reiterated the PPP’s demand for elections free from rigging and confirmed the party’s intention to contest based on its manifesto, refusing to participate in any decisions detrimental to the public interest.
Calling for political unity, Bilawal urged all parties and the government to avoid confrontations, emphasizing the need for consensus over infighting. He warned against internal divisions within the PML-N that aimed to create discord between the prime minister and coalition partners, questioning the motives of some individuals close to the prime minister. Despite these tensions, Bilawal clarified that the PPP holds no grievances against the prime minister and is prepared to fulfill its role as an opposition party without hesitation.
Regarding the creation of new provinces, Bilawal expressed the PPP’s support for public opinion, stating that new provinces should be established where there is popular demand. He noted that consensus on this issue has been reached in Punjab and the Senate.
Highlighting the importance of dialogue, Bilawal maintained that all political and national issues could be resolved through discussion. He expressed concern over the prolonged internet shutdown in Azad Kashmir, which has lasted 50 days—an unprecedented duration in any region.
Bilawal reaffirmed the PPP’s commitment to standing with the people, advocating for their rights, including ownership and employment opportunities in Azad Kashmir. Meanwhile, he noted that the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly had unanimously passed a resolution demanding constitutional rights, underscoring the necessity of respecting the rights of all citizens.
