PML-N President Calls for Political Rivalry Without Violence
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz President Nawaz Sharif targeted Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari during an election rally in Mirpur on Friday.
“This is Kashmir, not Kashmore, and this is Mirpur, not Mirpurkhas,” the former prime minister told supporters.
Nawaz described the statement as friendly political banter. He said Bilawal should not take offence over the remarks.
He stressed that political parties could challenge each other without creating hatred or violence.
According to Nawaz, political competition should remain democratic. Differences between parties should not turn into personal hostility or physical confrontation.
He later described Bilawal as a political brother and said disagreements should not produce bitterness between national leaders.
Nawaz also declared that Azad Jammu and Kashmir was not his second home.
He described the region as his first home and questioned why major development projects had slowed after his removal from office.
The PML-N president claimed that his previous governments had launched important infrastructure projects across the region.
He asked supporters to compare the PML-N’s development record with the performance of other political parties.
Nawaz said he had arrived in Mirpur with a detailed election manifesto for AJK.
He promised to personally supervise its implementation if the PML-N formed the next regional government.
Motorways, Airport and Hospitals Promised for AJK
Nawaz placed education at the centre of the PML-N’s election campaign.
He promised new schools, colleges and universities across AJK.
Merit-based scholarships would also be offered to students under the proposed programme.
The former prime minister said young people needed better educational opportunities near their homes.
He also announced plans to provide laptops to students and improve access to modern learning facilities.
Healthcare was another major focus of his speech.
Nawaz promised specialised hospitals for cancer, heart diseases and children.
He said government hospitals would provide modern treatment and free medicines under a system similar to programmes operating in Punjab.
He also announced that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz was bringing 10 mobile hospitals to Mirpur.
These mobile units would deliver medical services to communities with limited access to established healthcare facilities.
Nawaz also presented an ambitious transport and infrastructure plan.
He pledged to build and complete motorways across AJK.
The proposed projects include the completion of the Triple M Motorway and the extension of the Murree Expressway to Muzaffarabad.
He said improved road connections would support trade, tourism and economic activity across the region.
The former prime minister also promised clean drinking water and stronger civic infrastructure.
Nawaz said he would ask Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to approve an international airport for Mirpur.
He also promised to expand natural gas supplies to households if the PML-N won the election.
The party leader said an international airport could improve overseas connectivity for Mirpur’s large expatriate community.
He maintained that major infrastructure projects would create employment and attract investment to AJK.
Maryam Nawaz Promises Punjab-Style Public Services
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also addressed the Mirpur rally.
She expressed confidence that the PML-N would secure victory across all three divisions of AJK.
Maryam said the region had sufficient resources but lacked modern infrastructure and effective political leadership.
She identified hospitals, transport systems, housing schemes and food-support programmes as major public priorities.
The chief minister promised that services currently being provided in Punjab would be extended to AJK after a PML-N victory.
She also announced air-conditioned and electric buses for public transport in Mirpur.
Maryam said the party would begin implementing its development agenda immediately after forming the government.
The Mirpur gathering was part of the PML-N’s final campaign push before the AJK Legislative Assembly elections.
Polling will take place in three phases because of security and administrative arrangements.
Mirpur Division will vote on July 27.
Muzaffarabad Division and constituencies representing Kashmiri refugees living in Pakistan will vote on August 2.
Poonch Division will complete the election process on August 10.
The AJK Election Commission has said it will work to ensure transparent, peaceful and fair polling throughout the region.
