MUZAFFARABAD: Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, on Monday expressed concerns over the fairness of the upcoming elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), warning that unresolved issues risk undermining the credibility of the democratic process.
Addressing a party gathering in Muzaffarabad, Bilawal said he was proud of his candidates and team, drawing a clear distinction between the PPP’s election campaign and those of rival parties. He described the polls as the most significant in Kashmir’s history, stressing the imperative of a credible electoral process.
Concerns Over Refugee Seats and Phased Voting
“For an election of such significance, one hopes for the process to be fair, transparent and uncontroversial as possible,” Bilawal said. Such an approach, he argued, strengthens not only the electoral process but also the Assembly that emerges, enabling it to effectively address the challenges faced by the people of AJK.
However, the PPP chairman noted that the situation has already rendered the elections controversial to some extent. He pointed to the unresolved issue of refugee seats, which he said was not addressed before the polls as it should have been. Furthermore, he criticized the decision to hold elections in phases, as well as the sequence of those phases, saying they had raised concerns about fairness.
Mandate and Youth Disconnect
Bilawal emphasized that the responsibility of elected representatives extends beyond contesting elections to resolving the problems of the people, which requires a legitimate public mandate. “Without such a mandate, elected representatives lack the authority and credibility to take vital decisions,” he said.
Referring to a widening gap with the youth of Kashmir, he called for the political crisis to be addressed through dialogue and meaningful debate. He added that these issues are closely linked to the Kashmir dispute at the international level.
Call for Equal Rights
The PPP chairman said that while continuing the struggle for Kashmir on the international stage, efforts must also be made to secure greater rights for the people of Kashmir domestically. “The people of Kashmir deserve the same rights enjoyed by citizens in the rest of Pakistan,” he said, adding that legislation is the path to ensuring their voice is heard across the country.
Bilawal expressed hope that the people of Kashmir would place their trust in the PPP’s manifesto, which is centered on the right to governance, the right to ownership, and the right to employment. A stronger mandate than last time, he said, would enable the party to implement its proposed reforms.
