Abdul Aleem Khan, President of the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), has committed to upholding merit, transparency, and dedicated public service if his party is entrusted with forming the government in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). Speaking at a press conference, Aleem Khan, who currently serves as the federal minister for communication, stated he would personally take responsibility if corruption occurred during his administration.
In a significant development, the Election Commission of AJK has scheduled the general elections for July 27, 2026, with polling set from 8am to 5pm across all constituencies of the AJK Legislative Assembly. Ahead of these elections, Aleem Khan emphasized the party’s focus on addressing the long-standing neglect faced by the people of AJK. He highlighted priorities such as ensuring quality education, delivering basic civic amenities, and establishing transparent governance.
He assured that all decisions regarding Azad Kashmir would align with the aspirations and interests of its residents, promising that every commitment made to the Kashmiri people would be honored. Aleem Khan also pledged to implement practical measures to guarantee that every child in AJK has access to education.
Stressing that politics should transcend the mere pursuit of power, Aleem Khan underscored the importance of providing essential public services. He argued that genuine progress requires actionable steps rather than empty promises. Furthermore, he called on all political parties and candidates to accept election outcomes with democratic maturity, advocating humility in victory and patience in defeat.
Criticizing those who have governed multiple times, Aleem Khan held them accountable for the hardships endured by the populace, stating they should first answer for their own performance before questioning others. Regarding the upcoming elections in Gilgit-Baltistan, he noted that the IPP has nominated strong candidates and is enjoying significant public support.
He praised the prime minister’s leadership, highlighting his resilience during challenging times. Aleem Khan revealed that he had requested to concentrate fully on the Ministry of Communications to prioritize the modernization of Pakistan’s infrastructure. He reported rapid progress in the construction of modern highways and motorways nationwide.
Road infrastructure projects are underway in Gilgit-Baltistan, and the Sukkur-Karachi Motorway is being linked to the country’s seaport, with work slated to begin this year. The Lahore-Sialkot Motorway is being expanded from four to six lanes, and the Lahore-Sialkot-Kharian-Islamabad Motorway is under construction, which will reduce the travel distance between Lahore and Islamabad by about 100 kilometers.
Additionally, Aleem Khan announced plans to extend the Islamabad-Murree Expressway to Muzaffarabad, connecting it to Mansehra via a modern highway. This development aims to provide the people of Azad Kashmir with safer, faster, and more efficient transportation options.
He emphasized that Pakistan’s youth represent the nation’s promising future and encouraged them to focus on education and hard work. Aleem Khan also pointed out the decades-long deprivation of basic infrastructure in South Punjab and interior Sindh, criticizing those who now question progress despite failing to address these issues during their own terms.
Notably, several prominent figures joined the IPP during the event, including Dr. Sardar Zafar Iqbal (LA-25 Upper Neelum), Sardar Murtaza Ali Ahmad (Poonch), Sardar Abdul Jabbar Mughal (Constituency 4, Jhelum Valley), District Council Member Aamir Naeem, Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah (Kotli-Muzaffarabad), Councillor Shujaa Mangol Advocate, Chaudhry Abdul Qadeer Gujjar (LA-35), Sardar Sajjad Gul (Neelum), Chairman Haji Iftikhar Mughal, Chairman Faheem Mushtaq, Media Coordinator Raja Qamar Zaman, Party Spokesperson Sardar Mashal Younis, Syed Inam Gilani (Jhelum Valley), Councillor Khalid Mehmood, Councillor Nauman Usman, Hafiz Ahmad Butt (LA-42), Sardar Nazakat Minshad (Valley-3), Nauman Ali Chughtai, Asim Hameed, Farhan Anwar, and Naveed Chaudhry.
