- PPP chairman says party holds majority position to lead next AJK government, calling AJK assembly a ‘test’ ahead of upcoming elections
- Vows to uphold Kashmiris’ aspirations through political and democratic means, claiming three generations of PPP leaders championed Kashmir cause globally
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Friday declared that his party was now in a strong position to form and lead the next government in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), reaffirming PPP’s historic and continuing commitment to the Kashmir cause and the aspirations of its people.
Speaking to reporters, Bilawal said the PPP was “in a position to form a government in Kashmir, being a majority,” emphasizing that the party had always believed in political solutions to long-standing national and regional issues.
“Whatever the issues are, the PPP has a reputation for finding political solutions,” he remarked.
The PPP chairman said the current AJK legislative assembly would serve as a “test” for his party ahead of the next elections.
Reiterating that the PPP’s political foundation is rooted in the Kashmir cause, Bilawal noted that “three generations of PPP leaders have struggled for this cause on both national and international levels.”
He regretted that “due to non-political behaviour and mindset, a vacuum was created in AJK, which has harmed the people,” cautioning that such conduct could “pose a threat to the Kashmir cause at the international level.”
Bilawal stressed that the PPP “is the only party capable of representing Kashmir both within the country and internationally,” vowing to give a befitting response to any conspiracy against AJK.
“I promise the people of Kashmir that I will not disappoint you,” he added.
When asked about the party’s nominee for the prime minister’s slot in AJK, Bilawal quipped, “Don’t worry, that announcement will be made from Kashmir, not Islamabad.”
He said the new leader of the house would be revealed once the no-confidence motion is moved against the incumbent AJK prime minister.
The PPP chairman reaffirmed his resolve to address the issues of Kashmir, recalling that during his tenure as foreign minister, he had raised the Kashmir issue “on both domestic and international platforms.”
Bilawal also mentioned that despite facing challenges during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government’s tenure, the PPP had achieved victory in the AJK elections—“though that win was later turned into a defeat.”
“Despite that setback, the PPP has continued to represent the people everywhere,” he added.
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