BAGH: Pakistan People's Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Tuesday cautioned the people of Azad Kashmir that a PML-N victory in upcoming elections would mean an approval for Nawaz Sharif’s pro-India policies.

Speaking at a rally in Bagh district of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, the PPP chairman said Nawaz Sharif’s ‘friendship’ with Prime Minister Modi is an insult to the people of the area as the Indian premier is responsible for massacre of Muslims in Gujrat and during Modi's)rule Kashmiris are facing the worst form of state terrorism.

"Indian agents have been arrested from your sugar mills but no eyebrows were raised, while India even terms a pigeon flying from Pakistan an agent," said Bilawal.

Last month, Bilawal had condemned the federal government for what he called "carrying out pre-poll rigging in Azad Jammu and Kashmir by selectively doling out development funds" to candidates belonging only to the PML-N and registering non-Kashmiri citizens living elsewhere in the country as voters in various constituencies.

Bilawal's speech on Tuesday was a part of a campaign ahead of elections for the AJK Legislative Assembly, where the party has held power since 2011. Elections in the valley are due in July.

Former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gil­ani, whose abducted son's release was also announced during the rally, also spoke on the occasion.

In the current 48-member assembly, which has lately seen some changes in loyalties, PPP has 27 seats, PML-N has 13, Muslim Conference has 4 while PTI and MQM have two seats each.

Opinion

Editorial

Hasty transition
Updated 05 May, 2024

Hasty transition

Ostensibly, the aim is to exert greater control over social media and to gain more power to crack down on activists, dissidents and journalists.
One small step…
05 May, 2024

One small step…

THERE is some good news for the nation from the heavens above. On Friday, Pakistan managed to dispatch a lunar...
Not out of the woods
05 May, 2024

Not out of the woods

PAKISTAN’S economic vitals might be showing some signs of improvement, but the country is not yet out of danger....
Rigging claims
Updated 04 May, 2024

Rigging claims

The PTI’s allegations are not new; most elections in Pakistan have been controversial, and it is almost a given that results will be challenged by the losing side.
Gaza’s wasteland
04 May, 2024

Gaza’s wasteland

SINCE the start of hostilities on Oct 7, Israel has put in ceaseless efforts to depopulate Gaza, and make the Strip...
Housing scams
04 May, 2024

Housing scams

THE story of illegal housing schemes in Punjab is the story of greed, corruption and plunder. Major players in these...