With less than a week remaining before the Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections, major political parties have intensified their campaigns.
The PML-N and PPP have brought their top leadership into the field to strengthen support and attract voters. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has already started campaigning in Azad Kashmir. His approach follows his active campaign strategy in Gilgit-Baltistan, where the PPP succeeded in forming the government after the elections.
Meanwhile, PML-N President Nawaz Sharif has decided to take a more active role in the AJK election campaign. After maintaining a low profile for some time, he is expected to address several public rallies across the region. Political observers are describing the contest as a direct competition between Nawaz Sharif and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari. However, they believe the election presents a major challenge for the PML-N due to public dissatisfaction linked with recent political developments.
PML-N Attempts to Avoid Gilgit-Baltistan Election Repeat
The PML-N leadership believes it has learned important lessons from the Gilgit-Baltistan elections. The party aims to avoid repeating past mistakes and prevent the PPP from gaining further political ground in AJK.
PM’s Information Adviser Ikhtiyar Wali said the party has changed its strategy after observing Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s campaign efforts in Gilgit-Baltistan.
“We learnt a lot from Gilgit-Baltistan elections where we did not expect that PPP Chairman Bilawal would…even choose PPP candidates by himself,” he said.
According to Wali, the PML-N leadership is now directly supervising the campaign. The party hopes that stronger involvement from senior leaders will improve its electoral position.
The PML-N believes its active campaign strategy will help it compete against the PPP and maintain its political influence in the region.
Bilawal Targets PML-N Over Kashmir Issues
Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has criticized the PML-N during his election speeches in AJK. Speaking in Kotli, he rejected claims linking the PPP government with the crackdown on protests led by the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC).
The PPP chairman stated that protesters’ anger was mainly directed toward the federal government led by the PML-N.
He also referred to controversial comments associated with PML-N leader Khawaja Asif. Bilawal claimed that remarks about AJK created disappointment among people in the region.
During his speech, Bilawal said the PPP would “hunt the lion” in the mountains of Kashmir.
PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah advised Bilawal to avoid such statements, saying they could increase tensions in the region.
However, PPP leader Sharjeel Memon defended Bilawal’s remarks. He argued that the PPP chairman was attempting to address tensions created by statements from PML-N leaders.
“Irresponsible and anti-Kashmir statements of PML-N federal ministers have created a negative atmosphere in Kashmir. PML-N ministers have insulted the Kashmiri people by playing frivolous politics,” Memon added.
Political Debate Over Nawaz Sharif’s Campaign Role
The decision to bring Nawaz Sharif into the AJK election campaign has sparked debate among political analysts.
Some observers believe his involvement could create risks for the PML-N. They argue that the party is already facing criticism because of public dissatisfaction related to recent protests.
A senior politician, speaking anonymously, questioned whether Nawaz Sharif’s direct participation was the right decision. According to him, the current situation could make the campaign more difficult for the party.
The politician added that public frustration was mainly linked with the federal government rather than the PPP-led AJK administration.
Some analysts believe that a possible PML-N defeat despite Nawaz Sharif’s involvement could affect his political standing. This concern is especially relevant because he has reduced his public political activities in recent years.
Analysts See PPP Holding an Advantage
However, some political experts support Nawaz Sharif’s decision to lead the campaign.
Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT) President Ahmed Bilal Mehboob said Nawaz Sharif’s presence in AJK was a reasonable move. He explained that Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari was campaigning because his father, Asif Ali Zardari, could not participate in the same manner due to his position as president.
According to Mehboob, Nawaz Sharif’s role as PML-N president allows him to actively support his party during elections. As the election campaign reaches its final stage, both political parties are working to strengthen their voter base. The PPP appears confident due to its position in the AJK government, while the PML-N hopes that Nawaz Sharif’s involvement will help change public opinion.
The upcoming election will determine whether the PPP can maintain its influence or whether the PML-N can regain political momentum in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
