MIRPUR (AJK), July 22 (Alliance News): Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Tuesday alleged that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was seeking a constitutional amendment to enable the appointment of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif as the Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
Addressing a public rally in LA-3 Mirpur City ahead of the AJK Legislative Assembly elections, Bilawal claimed the PML-N wanted to amend the Constitution so that Pakistan’s prime minister could appoint the AJK premier.
“They want a citizen of Raiwind, who has already served as Pakistan’s prime minister three times, to also become the prime minister of AJK,” he said.
The PPP chairman’s remarks came a day after PML-N President Nawaz Sharif jokingly remarked that he would ask Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to appoint him as AJK prime minister if the party won the upcoming elections.
Calling the AJK polls historic, Bilawal said the future of the region depended on the outcome of the elections and urged voters to support the PPP.
He said the PPP had always strengthened democratic institutions, highlighting the unanimous 1973 Constitution under former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and the 18th Constitutional Amendment introduced during President Asif Ali Zardari’s tenure.
Bilawal pledged to ensure that the people of AJK enjoyed rights similar to those available to citizens in Pakistan.
Criticising the PML-N, he said no party should assume victory before the elections and stressed that the future of AJK should be decided by the people of Kashmir.
He also reiterated his demand for establishing a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to address issues arising from recent protests in AJK and criticised the suspension of internet and mobile services, saying ordinary citizens were suffering.
Responding to recent criticism by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz regarding governance in Sindh, Bilawal said the PML-N only focused on Raiwind while ignoring the conditions in other parts of Punjab, including Cholistan, Pothohar, Rajanpur, Vehari and Dera Ghazi Khan.
The AJK Legislative Assembly elections will be held in three phases beginning on July 27, followed by polling in Muzaffarabad Division on August 2 and Poonch Division on August 10.
