Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Wednesday called on the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) to give his party a decisive mandate in the July 27 Legislative Assembly elections, saying a strong PPP victory would strengthen the party’s efforts to safeguard the rights of Kashmiris.
Bilawal urges Kashmiris to hand PPP decisive mandate in July 27 AJK polls
MIRPUR, Jul 22 (APP): Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Wednesday called on the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) to give his party a decisive mandate in the July 27 Legislative Assembly elections, saying a strong PPP victory would strengthen the party’s efforts to safeguard the rights of Kashmiris. Addressing an election rally at Quaid-e-Azam International Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, Bilawal described the upcoming vote as crucial for the future of Kashmir and urged citizens to exercise their democratic right through the ballot box.
The PPP chairman criticized the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leadership over remarks he said had offended the people of Mirpur and Rawalakot by questioning their Kashmiri identity. He also alleged that the PML-N intended to reduce the constitutional powers of the AJK prime minister through proposed amendments and shift greater authority to Islamabad, a move he said the PPP would oppose. Bilawal reiterated that decisions concerning Kashmir should be made by the people of Kashmir and pledged to continue advocating for their political, economic and governance rights.
Questioning the development claims of the Punjab government, Bilawal argued that infrastructure and public service challenges remained visible in several areas. Referring to his recent visit to Dadyal, he said the ground realities did not match official claims and urged the PML-N to focus on addressing development issues in districts including Rajanpur, Layyah, Kasur and Mianwali. He also claimed that voters in Gilgit-Baltistan had rejected the PML-N and expressed confidence that the electorate in AJK would deliver a similar verdict.
Calling the July 27 election a “historic decision” for Mirpur Division, Bilawal appealed to voters to elect PPP candidates across the region, including Chaudhry Yasir Sultan, Chaudhry Qasim Majeed, Sohaib Arshad and Afsar Shahid. He said a two-thirds majority for the PPP would enable the party to pursue its agenda on governance, employment opportunities and property rights. The rally concluded with party slogans as supporters gave the PPP chairman a warm welcome.
