PPP Chairman Says Government’s Countdown Will Begin if Public Mandate Is Stolen
Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has issued a strong warning over alleged electoral manipulation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
He said the federal government’s political countdown would begin if the remaining AJK elections were rigged.
Bilawal made the remarks while addressing a large public gathering in Muzaffarabad on Wednesday.
He said the people’s mandate must be decided through the ballot box. It should never be controlled through force, pressure or administrative interference.
The PPP chairman stressed that any attempt to steal the public mandate must be exposed. He said electoral wrongdoing should not be hidden or protected by state institutions.
Bilawal maintained that the candidate receiving the highest number of legitimate votes must be declared the winner.
He said this was the basic meaning of the people’s right to govern.
PPP and PML-N Clash Over First Phase Results
Bilawal’s warning came after the first phase of the AJK Legislative Assembly elections in the Mirpur division.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz won nine seats, while the PPP secured four of the 13 contested seats.
The results triggered a sharp political dispute between the two parties.
The PPP accused the PML-N of using unfair methods during the July 27 polling process.
The PML-N rejected the allegations and responded with strong criticism of the PPP.
The dispute is significant because both parties are political allies at the federal level.
Bilawal earlier questioned whether state institutions would protect the national interest or the political interests of the PML-N.
He also criticised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz over previous election controversies.
Maryam Nawaz responded by accusing the PPP of having its own history of electoral manipulation.
The exchange has increased political tensions ahead of the remaining election phases.
According to the AJK chief election commissioner, polling in the Muzaffarabad division is scheduled for August 2.
The Poonch division is expected to vote in the next phase on August 10.
Kashmir’s Future Must Be Decided by Elected Representatives
Bilawal said the future of Kashmir must be decided by the Kashmiri people.
He said decisions regarding the region should be made through a genuinely elected legislative assembly.
The PPP chairman argued that Kashmir must have representation in every institution where decisions about its political future are taken.
He also called for the protection of refugee representation in the AJK electoral system.
Bilawal warned that manipulation of refugee votes would leave their longstanding political and administrative problems unresolved.
He said genuine refugee representatives must be allowed to reach the assembly through a transparent process.
The PPP leader pledged to protect the constitutional, political and economic rights of the Kashmiri population.
He said employment opportunities created through AJK’s natural and economic resources should primarily benefit local youth.
Bilawal maintained that Kashmiri people must receive the first share in jobs, development projects and economic opportunities generated within the region.
Constitutional Convention Proposed After Elections
Bilawal announced that a constitutional convention would be organised after the completion of the elections.
He said the proposed gathering would include representatives from the government and opposition.
Kashmiri refugees, lawyers, civil society members and other stakeholders would also be invited.
The convention would discuss constitutional questions and political concerns affecting Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Bilawal said dialogue among elected representatives and civil society was necessary for resolving institutional disputes.
He also repeated his demand for the establishment of a truth commission.
The proposed commission would examine the causes of protests and unrest in different parts of AJK.
Bilawal said the commission should identify facts, determine responsibility and propose a peaceful solution.
He pledged that the PPP would continue its political campaign for fair elections, constitutional rights and stronger public representation in Kashmir.
