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

Return to the helm
28 Apr, 2024

Return to the helm

With Nawaz Sharif as PML-N president, will we see more grievances being aired?
Unvaxxed & vulnerable
28 Apr, 2024

Unvaxxed & vulnerable

Even deadly mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue and malaria have vaccines, but they are virtually unheard of in Pakistan.
Gaza’s hell
28 Apr, 2024

Gaza’s hell

Perhaps Western ‘statesmen’ may moderate their policies if a significant percentage of voters punish them at the ballot box.
Missing links
Updated 27 Apr, 2024

Missing links

As the past decades have shown, the country has not been made more secure by ‘disappearing’ people suspected of wrongdoing.
Freedom to report?
27 Apr, 2024

Freedom to report?

AN accountability court has barred former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife from criticising the establishment...
After Bismah
27 Apr, 2024

After Bismah

BISMAH Maroof’s contribution to Pakistan cricket extends beyond the field. The 32-year old, Pakistan’s...