PML-N accuses PPP of trying to delay AJK elections

MUZAFFARABAD: Political tensions are rising in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) ahead of the expected announcement of the election schedule, with opposition leader and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) AJK president Shah Ghulam Qadir accusing the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) of trying to avoid the electoral process by supporting calls for a postponement of polls through the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC).

Speaking at a public gathering in Dhamni on the outskirts of Rawalakot on Wednesday, Mr Qadir said decision-making authority could not be handed over to what he described as mob groups. He also said his party would not become part of any move aimed at weakening the state. The event was organised in connection with former divisional director of the education department Dr Rashida Khanam and her supporters joining the PML-N.

In remarks apparently linked to demands concerning refugee seats and the election timetable, Mr Qadir alleged that the PPP was attempting to avoid elections by using the Action Committee for its own purposes, which he said showed the ruling party’s defeated mindset.

“This is perhaps the first ruling party that is running away from elections, but the Muslim League will not allow it to escape. Whoever is fond of politics should test their popularity through elections and learn the realities of governance,” he said.

Sharp political exchanges

In a strongly worded speech delivered as political divisions sharpen ahead of the polls, Mr Qadir also accused the PPP of working against the existing system. Referring to the party’s political history, he alleged that Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had raised the slogan of Idhar Hum, Udhar Tum, which, according to him, contributed to the division of Pakistan. He further claimed that the PPP was again pursuing what he called a formula for the division of Kashmir.

“This mischief is a conspiracy against the system, but we have full confidence in our intentions and leadership, and the PML-N will foil all such conspiracies,” Qadir said.

Rejecting what he described as unfounded propaganda about weakening pro-Pakistan sentiment in Poonch, Mr Qadir said the area was the land of martyrs and veterans and that its people had made sacrifices for the ideology of Pakistan. “The people of Poonch were Pakistani before and they remain Pakistani today,” he said.

He added that those who had doubts should remove such misconceptions from their minds.

Claims over welfare payments and election preparations

The PML-N leader also alleged that people were being told that anyone who did not vote for the PPP would be denied payments under the Benazir Income Support Programme. He said the funds belonged to the World Bank and were being distributed by the Government of Pakistan, and warned that his party knew how to protect its workers if complaints of political victimisation surfaced.

Mr Qadir further said the PML-N did not need any electoral alliance, maintaining that the party had enough electable candidates in every constituency and would contest the elections on the basis of its manifesto and previous performance.

“We will form the government with a two-thirds majority,” he said.

Former minister Sardar Tahir Anwar Khan, former MLA Sehrish Qamar, former AJK Council members Sardar Abdul Khaliq Wasi and Sardar Naseem Ahmed Sarfraz, along with Javed Sharif Advocate, Khawaja Imran Ashraf and Sardar Arshad Niazi, also spoke at the gathering.

They too alleged that efforts were being made in collusion with certain elements to postpone the elections in order to manipulate the process. They also urged the AJK Election Commission to announce the election schedule before May 25.