PML-N President and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif has said that the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) have placed their trust in the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), and the party must now ensure that this trust is not betrayed. Addressing a meeting of the PML-N’s Azad Kashmir Parliamentary Party, Nawaz Sharif said AJK must be developed and the problems faced by its people resolved.
He said the people of Azad Kashmir were looking towards Punjab’s development model and expressed confidence that the region could also be transformed through similar efforts. He congratulated the candidates who won seats in the Azad Kashmir elections, as well as those who were unsuccessful. He said the party should not lose heart over the loss of a single seat, stressing that Allah Almighty had granted the PML-N victory in Azad Kashmir and that the party had secured a majority in the first two phases.
He emphasised that political differences should not be allowed to turn into personal hostility. “We have always treated our political opponents with respect,” he said, adding that he had not expected the PPP to issue such statements or raise complaints. Nawaz Sharif said political parties should maintain mutual respect and work together to protect the political environment in Kashmir from bitterness. He stressed that the government and political leadership should jointly focus on resolving public issues.
The PML-N president said the party must now fulfil the expectations of the people of Azad Kashmir. “If we fail to deliver, the people of Azad Kashmir will be disappointed with us,” he said. He called for maximum resources to be allocated to Azad Kashmir to improve roads, promote industry and create employment opportunities. He said the welfare of the people of the region should remain the top priority.
Nawaz Sharif also called for laptops and scholarships for students in Azad Kashmir to provide young people with better access to education and modern technology. He proposed the introduction of Kisan Cards in the region to support farmers and facilitate the agricultural sector. He asked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to provide a helicopter to the Azad Kashmir government to facilitate access to difficult and remote areas and improve public and administrative services. Nawaz Sharif also called for the launch of CPEC projects in Azad Kashmir to promote economic activity and create new employment opportunities.
He appreciated the efforts of PML-N leaders and workers during the Azad Kashmir election campaign and congratulated Amir Muqam and Rana Sanaullah, saying both had achieved results in areas where success had appeared difficult. He particularly praised Amir Muqam for campaigning with the dedication of a candidate contesting his own election.