ISLAMABAD, May 7: Pakistan People’s Party Azad Kashmir has urged the federal government to play its role in ensuring free and fair elections in Azad Kashmir.

“The 2006 elections in Azad Kashmir is a test-case for the centre before the 2007 general polls in Pakistan,” said president of PPP AJK chapter Sahibzada Ishaq Zafar while speaking at a press conference here on Sunday.

Mr Zafar called for freezing developmental funds to avert the possibility of these being used as political bribe. He demanded that the powers of AJK cabinet be delegated to the chief secretary so that cabinet members do not use their positions to influence the elections.

There should be a ban on fresh appointments and transfers in government departments, he said, adding that the PPP was ready for the polls with its current organisational structure in place.

He said a series of conventions in all districts had been completed and election campaign started.

The PPP leader said AJK chief election commissioner had given the assurance that free and fair elections would be held. He claimed that his party would achieve a land-slide victory in the polls.

“The Muslim Conference has completely failed to deliver and has disappointed the masses by failing to handle the post- earthquake situation in the state,” he said.

Answering a question, he said the decision of awarding party tickets had been made by the party chairperson, Benazir Bhutto, in consultation with the Parliamentary Board. The decision on 30 seats has already been announced while 11 tickets are yet to be awarded.

Ms Bhutto has the right to reconsider the decision of awarding tickets if needed, he added.

The PPP AJK chapter secretary-general, Chaudhry Mohammad Yasin, and member legislative assembly Sardar Ghulam Sadiq were also present.

Meanwhile, MLA Haji Javed Akhtar, who earlier had joined Barrister Sultan Mahmood, announced his support to the PPP AJK chapter, and said another MLA Chaudhry Maqbool Ahmed had also reposed confidence in the leadership of Ms Bhutto. However Mr Ahmed was not present with them.