Bilawal questions AJK poll process, calls for transparent mandate

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Monday called for a free, fair and transparent electoral process in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), saying only a credible vote could produce a government with the authority to address public problems.

Speaking at a party gathering in Mirpur Division as polling was held in the first phase of the AJK Legislative Assembly elections, Bilawal described the contest as one of the most important political exercises in the region’s history. He said, "When elections are transparent, impartial and credible, they strengthen not only the democratic process but also the legitimacy of the Assembly that emerges from it. A representative government with a genuine public mandate is better positioned to resolve the problems confronting the people of Azad Kashmir."

Bilawal said an election of such significance should be conducted in a way that leaves no room for controversy. He argued that elected representatives could only fulfil their responsibility of solving people’s issues if they had a legitimate public mandate, adding that without such backing they lacked the authority and credibility needed for major decisions.

At the same time, he said some developments had already raised doubts about the electoral process. Bilawal said the PPP had repeatedly voiced concerns over the handling of refugee seats before the polls and also questioned the decision to hold the elections in three phases. He criticised the order in which the phases were scheduled, saying it had created uncertainty over the fairness of the process.

The PPP chief also linked AJK’s internal political challenges to the wider Kashmir dispute. He said the issue must continue to be raised internationally while constitutional, political and economic rights for the people of AJK should be expanded. He added that Kashmiris deserved rights comparable to those enjoyed by citizens elsewhere in Pakistan and said legislative reforms were needed to ensure their voices were heard at the national level.

Referring to the party’s manifesto, Bilawal urged voters to back the PPP’s agenda of the "right to governance, right to ownership and right to employment". He said he was proud of his party’s candidates and workers, adding, "There is a clear difference between the PPP's election campaign and those of the other political parties."

He also said there was a widening disconnect between young people in Kashmir and the political system, arguing that such challenges could only be addressed through dialogue, democratic engagement and meaningful debate. Bilawal expressed confidence that a stronger mandate than the one the PPP received in the last elections would help the party carry out its proposed reforms in AJK.

As voting continued in the opening phase, PML-N was winning nine of the 13 constituencies in Mirpur Division. The remaining phases are scheduled for Muzaffarabad Division and the refugee constituencies on August 2, followed by Poonch Division on August 10.