PML-N supremo and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday questioned the lack of development initiatives in Azad Jammu and Kashmir after his ouster from power.

He, along with Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, was addressing a public rally in Mirpur, AJK, ahead of the upcoming elections.

Addressing the rally, he asked why there could be no development work in Mirpur or AJK after he had left the post of prime minister, criticising subsequent governments for not introducing or completing development projects.

“Behind every project in AJK or Pakistan, you will find the PML-N’s stamp on it,” he stated, questioning, “Tell me if any other party has done something for AJK.”

“Kashmir is as dear to me as Lahore. It is not my second home; it is my first home,” Nawaz said.

He emphasised that he had come with a manifesto for AJK, with education as his top priority.

“The youth of AJK will get education. Schools, colleges and universities will be built here,” he said, adding, “Scholarships will also be given to meritorious students.”

On health, Nawaz said that “special attention” would be given to the sector.

He announced that CM Maryam had brought air-conditioned buses, similar to those in Punjab, for the people of Mirpur, along with hospitals on wheels.

“If PML-N comes to power in AJK, I will visit each and every street of AJK with the next prime minister and implement this manifesto under my supervision,” he vowed.

Under the PML-N’s manifesto, he said that every youngster in AJK would get a laptop.

Nawaz announced that he would hold a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and emphasise that there should be an international airport in Mirpur and that every home in AJK should get natural gas.

The PML-N leader, while referring to recent remarks made by the PPP chairman, said that in politics, some light-hearted banter was acceptable, but violence or altercations were not.

Addressing the rally, the Punjab CM expressed hope that PML-N would emerge successful in all the divisions of AJK in the upcoming elections.

“The time has come for AJK to be lit up with development,” she said.

CM Maryam said there was no shortage of resources in AJK. “The only shortage it has is better infrastructure: better hospitals, metro buses, electric buses, ration programmes, housing programmes and will.”

“This is our promise: the services we are providing in Punjab will also be provided to the people of AJK without wasting a day after winning the election,” she stated.

Elections in AJK, previously set for July 27, are now to be held in three division-wise stages, beginning on July 27 and concluding on August 10.

The PML-N had announced its candidates for 37 of the 45 constituencies of the AJK Legislative Assembly.