AJK Elections 2026: Bilawal Promises Greater Rights and Jobs at Mirpur Rally

Mirpur: (Our Correspondent) – AJK Elections 2026:  Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari told a large election gathering in Mirpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), that the city has always felt like a second home to him. He said the bond between the PPP and the people of Mirpur has been built over three generations and expressed satisfaction at seeing young Kashmiris stepping forward to serve both Kashmir and Pakistan.

Bilawal recalled working alongside the late Barrister Sultan during his tenure as Pakistan’s youngest Foreign Minister and praised the long-standing political relationship between their families. He said Yasir Sultan and Qasim Majeed should continue the legacy of their predecessors by working together for the welfare of the people and strengthening unity within Kashmir.

Describing the upcoming AJK elections as a defining moment, Bilawal said voters have an opportunity to shape the region’s future. He highlighted the achievements of PPP leaders, including Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s role in introducing the 1973 Constitution and strengthening Pakistan’s nuclear programme, Benazir Bhutto’s struggle for democracy, and President Asif Ali Zardari’s passage of the 18th Constitutional Amendment and expansion of the Benazir Income Support Programme.

The PPP chairman said his generation aims to secure greater political authority, ownership of natural resources and employment opportunities for the people of AJK. Referring to the party’s commitments in Gilgit-Baltistan, he pledged that the same promises would be fulfilled for Kashmir without affecting its internationally recognised right to self-determination.

Bilawal maintained that the people of Kashmir should enjoy the same rights as citizens elsewhere while retaining control over their political future. He criticised the existing arrangement regarding the 12 refugee seats, arguing that decisions affecting Kashmir should be made by Kashmiris rather than by provincial governments outside the region.

He promised that a PPP government with a two-thirds majority would work to ensure justice for both refugees and the people of AJK. He also proposed giving AJK observer representation in major constitutional institutions, including the Council of Common Interests (CCI), National Finance Commission (NFC), National Assembly and Senate, saying Kashmir’s voice should be heard at the national level.

Speaking about natural resources, Bilawal said the PPP believes local populations should benefit directly from their land, rivers and other resources. He added that Kashmir’s resources belong exclusively to its people and should remain under their ownership.

On employment, Bilawal highlighted the PPP’s historical record of creating jobs both inside Pakistan and abroad. He credited previous PPP governments for expanding overseas employment opportunities and said his party remains committed to creating more jobs for Kashmiri youth.

Addressing the ongoing unrest in AJK, Bilawal called for dialogue instead of confrontation. He proposed the formation of an independent Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate the dispute and suggested that both protesters and authorities suspend their actions until the commission completes its work. He also criticised the policy of collective punishment and questioned the continued suspension of internet services during the election campaign.

Bilawal said he had instructed the PPP AJK leadership to formally approach the Election Commission regarding internet restrictions, arguing that fair elections cannot be conducted when political parties are unable to campaign online. He also criticised remarks made by certain federal ministers, saying they had intensified tensions in the region, and accused the PML-N leadership of failing to distance itself from those statements.

Urging voters to support the PPP, Bilawal said the party stands for democratic rights, constitutional protection and economic opportunities rather than divisive politics. He criticised the PML-N for what he described as attempts to reduce AJK’s autonomy through proposed legislative changes and warned that such measures would weaken the region’s democratic rights.

Concluding his address, Bilawal appealed to voters across AJK to support the PPP candidates, including Yasir Sultan, Qasim Majeed, Sohaib Arshad and Afsar Shahid. He expressed confidence that the party would repeat its electoral success in Gilgit-Baltistan by winning the confidence of the people of Kashmir.