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Nawaz Criticises PPP Government’s Performance in AJK
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Sunday expressed disappointment over complaints raised by the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) during the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections, saying he did not expect the party’s regional government to provide grounds for such grievances .
Addressing a meeting of the PML-N Azad Jammu and Kashmir parliamentary party in Murree, Nawaz said the political environment that had emerged in AJK for the first time was a matter of concern and appeared to be the result of successive governments’ failure to fulfil their responsibilities.
“There was a PPP government in the state, and we did not expect there would be an opportunity for a complaint from the PPP,” Nawaz said, referring to complaints that had reached him during the election process . He noted that AJK had a PPP prime minister and said political opponents should always be treated with respect.
Call for Respectful Politics and Unity
“We have always treated our opponents well. Political differences should not be turned into enmity,” he said, warning that the traditionally peaceful political environment of AJK should not be allowed to deteriorate.
Nawaz congratulated PML-N candidates who won the AJK elections and also praised those who failed to secure victory, saying they had put up a strong fight against their opponents’ campaign. He also expressed disappointment over the defeat of some of his party’s candidates, saying the reasons behind their losses should be examined.
Pledge to Transform AJK Like Punjab
Nawaz said the PML-N would seek to transform the region along the lines of Punjab. “The people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir are looking towards Punjab,” he said, stressing that greater funds should be allocated for the development of the region.
He said the welfare of the people of AJK would remain the PML-N’s priority and pledged to make efforts to fulfil the promises made during the election campaign. “We have no room to betray the public’s trust. If we fail to deliver in Azad Kashmir, people will become disappointed,” he warned.
Nawaz said the region needed better roads and hospitals, greater employment opportunities, and measures to promote tourism. He also called for laptops and scholarships for students in AJK and said farmers should be provided with a farmers’ card.
Call for Helicopter and Infrastructure Support
The former prime minister also highlighted the geographical challenges faced by AJK, saying a helicopter was essential for the mountainous region. He called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to provide a helicopter to the AJK government to facilitate administration and emergency services.
Economic Outlook and Governance
Nawaz said Pakistan was now moving forward and expressed confidence that the country would overcome its problems. He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had inherited extremely difficult circumstances when he assumed office but had since been working to improve the situation.
“Today, conditions are improving day by day,” he said, adding that the government was seeking to free Pakistan from dependence on the International Monetary Fund and establish the country as an economically sovereign state.
