MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider on Monday reiterated that no other political party can compete his Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in ‘performance’ and the same would help it retain power after sweeping the upcoming polls.

“Either Azad Kashmir or Pakistan, it’s the Muslim League that has served the masses without any discrimination. Contrarily, the party that was brought to power with the slogan of ‘change’ has literally devastated the common man,” he said of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), at a reception in Leepa valley on the second consecutive day of his tour to the area.

“That’s why I am sure people will re-elect us with a thumping majority like that of 2016 polls to let us continue our mission of service to the masses,” added Mr Haider who would contest elections from two constituencies, Leepa valley being part of one.

Mr Haider also linked the vote for his party to the Kashmir issue by saying if people wanted the ceasefire line (LoC) to be removed for good and integrity of the state of Jammu and Kashmir protected, they should vote for the PML-N.

“The people of Leepa and Karnah have endured so much hardship due to the hostilities by Indian army and I salute their patience and courage. Let me assure you we will not let this bloody line become a permanent divide. We will erase it,” he said.

Without directly naming PTI’s regional leaders, he questioned how they could represent Kashmir when they lacked courage even to speak before their leadership, let alone question it.Showering praise on the Pakistan army, the AJK premier said India’s cowardly army lacked mettle to compete in the battlefield.

“Notwithstanding its hollow avowals, the Indian army does not have courage to launch surgical strikes from across the divide because it knows that Pakistani troops are fully capable of this territory’s defence,” he said.

Published in Dawn, June 8th, 2021