Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Thursday warned the federal government its “countdown” will begin if the second and third phases of the ongoing elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) are rigged.
Addressing a campaign rally in Muzaffarabad, he said the people’s mandate must be decided through ballots, not bullets, adding any theft of the public mandate must not be concealed. “If you [PMLN] keep stealing our mandate, your federal government will fall and I will come to unseat you,” he threatened.
Further criticizing the PMLN, he questioned why infrastructure projects had remained incomplete for several years, claiming the PPP had established all three medical colleges in AJK. He said Muzaffarabad needed roads, justice, employment opportunities, hospitals and the right to self-determination. “I do not want to make Kashmir Punjab or Sindh; I want to make Kashmir strong and independent,” he added.
Referring to ongoing protests in AJK over reserved seats for refugees from India-held Kashmir who migrated to Pakistan after 1947, he said their genuine representation must be safeguarded. However, he added, a constitutional convention would be convened after the polls to discuss constitutional matters and determine if a compromise could be reached.
The PPP chairman said the right to rule comes from a candidate receiving the public’s vote, emphasizing that the future of Kashmir should be decided by its people through their elected assembly. He warned that if refugees’ votes were stolen or manipulated, their longstanding issues would remain unresolved.
Bhutto-Zardari also backed representation for Kashmiris in institutions involved in decision-making on their future. He vowed to secure the rights of the people of Kashmir, adding jobs created through the region’s resources should primarily benefit Kashmiri youth.
He also reiterated his call for a truth commission to resolve the ongoing protests and unrest across AJK.
During his address, the PPP leader repeated his criticism of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s leadership for boycotting elections in AJK. He urged the party to unite with the PPP in the electoral process against alleged rigging in the polls. “Today, I extend my hand to PTI workers. Today, I extend my hand to the sincere politicians of PTI. Every political party that is tired of rigging, every political worker who wants to make their own decision—come, take my hand,” he said, claiming they could jointly bring about reforms through Parliament.
He said he was willing to work with all political parties if their true goal was ensuring transparent polls.
The PPP chairman’s latest address marks a continuation of his criticism of alleged rigging during the first phase of AJK’s elections, which saw the PMLN winning nine seats to the PPP’s four for 13 seats of Mirpur division. The two parties—coalition partners in the center—have lashed out at each throughout the campaign, trading allegations.