• PPP chairman suggests observer or provisional status for Azad Kashmir in Pakistan’s decision-making bodies
• Accuses PML-N of undermining region’s self-rule

MUZAFFARABAD: PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari argued on Wednesday that Azad Jammu and Kashmir could not shape its future without a stronger presence in Pakistan’s decision-making bodies, saying the region must have representation at the Centre and a voice that reaches Islamabad.

Addressing a rally in Mirpur, ahead of the July 27 phased AJK elections, Mr Bhutto-Zardari said his party wanted AJK to retain its status and prime minister while ensuring the region had a platform to raise its concerns at the federal level.

“Is it not possible that we retain AJK’s status as a state and keep its own prime minister, but ensure that AJK’s voice reaches Islamabad?” he asked.

“AJK should have representation in Pakistan’s decision-making bodies on an observer or provisional basis so that it can raise its issues there. Instead of protesting on roads, you should raise your concerns in the centre; this is my manifesto.”

The PPP chairman said that, if elected with a two-thirds majority, his party would introduce a constitutional amendment to ensure justice for both the people of AJK and refugees, while safeguarding the region’s autonomy.

His remarks came a day after Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, addressing a PML-N rally in Muzaffarabad, highlighted her government’s development record in Punjab in what appeared to be a veiled criticism of the PPP, intensifying the political confrontation between the two parties ahead of the polls.

Mr Bhutto-Zardari accused the PML-N of undermining Kashmir’s autonomy and mishandling the issue of refugee representation. While supporting meaningful representation for refugees, he said neither Punjab nor Sindh should determine Kashmir’s future. “Kashmiris alone should determine their own future,” he said, criticising proposals that, according to him, would allow Pakistan’s prime minister to appoint the AJK premier or enable someone with no connection to Kashmir to become its prime minister.

He also criticised the PML-N leadership for promoting Punjab’s development while ignoring other parts of the province despite having governed Pakistan multiple times.

He said the PML-N behaved as though Raiwind alone represented Punjab, ignoring areas such as Cholistan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Vehari, Bhakkar and Potohar.

He reiterated his disappointment over federal ministers making irresponsible statements that aggravated tensions. He criticised former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and the Punjab chief minister for failing to distance themselves from those remarks. “If such individuals remain in the federal cabinet despite making these statements, it creates the impression that the federal government endorses those views. We have every reason to regard them as official PML-N policy,” he said.

Presenting the PPP’s manifesto, Mr Bhutto-Zardari said Kashmiris deserved the same political and economic rights enjoyed by people in Pakistan and India without compromising their internationally recognised right to self-determination.

He also said the people of every province, including AJK, were the rightful owners of their natural resources.

Addressing the ongoing unrest in AJK, he said differences of opinion strengthened democratic societies and urged authorities to resolve the crisis through dialogue rather than confrontation.

He reiterated his proposal for an independent Truth and Reconciliation Commission and criticised the continued suspension of internet services, questioning why the shutdown remained in place while protesters were still able to upload videos. Appealing for support in the July 27 elections, he said the PPP rejected the politics of division and would work to protect AJK’s autonomy, strengthen its voice in Islamabad and guarantee justice for both Kashmiris and refugees.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2026