Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari asserted on Wednesday that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) intends to install three-time former prime minister Nawaz Sharif as the premier of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). Speaking at a public gathering in LA-3 Mirpur City, Bilawal, whose party is a crucial coalition partner in the federal government, stated that the PML-N aims to amend the Constitution to allow Pakistan’s prime minister to appoint the AJK premier.
He emphasized, “They want a citizen of Raiwind, who has served as prime minister thrice, to also become the premier of AJK.” These comments followed Nawaz Sharif’s recent lighthearted remark that he would request Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to appoint him as AJK premier if the PML-N wins the forthcoming elections.
The elections for the AJK Legislative Assembly are scheduled in three phases: Mirpur Division will vote on July 27, Muzaffarabad Division on August 2, and Poonch Division on August 10, as outlined by AJK Chief Election Commissioner Ghulam Mustafa Mughal.
Addressing the rally, Bilawal described the upcoming AJK election as possibly the most significant in history, linking the region’s future directly to the electoral outcome. He praised the PPP’s contributions to the country, recalling that Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto provided Pakistan with a unanimous Constitution, and President Asif Ali Zardari secured provincial rights through the 18th Amendment.
He urged the people of AJK to support the PPP, promising to extend to them the same rights enjoyed by the citizens of Pakistan. Criticizing the PML-N, Bilawal warned that those assuming the 12 AJK seats are guaranteed would be doing a disservice to the electorate. He also advocated for migrants to have voting and candidacy rights, while emphasizing that the destiny of AJK should ultimately be decided by Kashmiris themselves.
Turning to current protests in AJK, Bilawal reiterated his demand for establishing a Truth and Reconciliation Commission. He condemned the suspension of internet and cellular services in the region, stating that both protesters and the state are effectively punishing the general population.
Responding to recent criticism from Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz regarding the governance of the PPP-led Sindh government, Bilawal retorted that Punjab is not as prosperous as claimed. He mocked the PML-N’s development narrative by pointing out that their vision of Punjab is limited to Raiwind, questioning if the party leadership has ever witnessed conditions in areas like Cholistan, Pothohar, Rajanpur, Vehari, and Dera Ghazi Khan.
