LAHORE: Former prime minister and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Raja Pervez Ashraf on Sunday expressed confidence that the party would form the next government in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), saying the PPP was gaining political momentum across the region, while the Punjab government claims the party’s Lahore workers’ convention was thinly attended.
Addressing the PPP workers’ convention at the Governor House, Mr Ashraf rejected claims that the party would secure only 11 seats in the upcoming AJK elections, saying such predictions lacked credibility.
“Like [it did in] Gilgit-Baltistan, the PPP will also form the government in Azad Kashmir,” he claimed, adding that the party’s message was being heard “from every corner” of the region.
The convention, organised by the PPP Lahore Division, also marked the 71st birthday of party co-chairman and President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari.
On the occasion, a 24-foot cake was cut, followed by a fireworks display and a musical performance by singer Sahir Ali Bagga.
Mr Ashraf congratulated the Lahore leadership, including PPP Lahore President Faisal Mir and Secretary General Dr Ayesha Shaukat, for organising a successful convention.
He said neither political opponents nor the adverse weather in Lahore could discourage the party workers, who were urged to take the PPP manifesto to every corner of Punjab.
He announced that the party’s Foundation Day on Nov 30 would be celebrated in Lahore and addressed by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
Referring to the PPP’s alliance politics, Mr Ashraf said the party did not want misunderstandings with its allies and urged all coalition partners to choose their words carefully. “We should support one another and protect the honour and dignity of the people,” he said.
The former prime minister said the PPP’s core philosophy was to improve the lives of ordinary people, stressing that Pakistan needed unity rather than political conflict. He also expressed support for the armed forces, saying the people stood behind them against hostile propaganda.
PPP Central Punjab Secretary General Syed Hassan Murtaza said the party continued to struggle despite political challenges and accused the government of ignoring public issues.
He criticised rising fuel prices, and alleged that wheat was being imported at the expense of local farmers. Inflation had made life increasingly difficult for the common man, he lamented.
PPP MNA Samina Khalid Ghurki praised the party workers for attending the event despite the recent heavy rains, saying the turnout reflected their commitment to the party.
Faisal Mir claimed the party had regained political ground in Lahore and alleged that authorities had attempted to obstruct the gathering at the Minar-i-Pakistan, forcing a change of the venue to the Governor House on the instructions of Raja Pervez Ashraf.
Addressing Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Mr Mir called for party-based local government elections instead of non-party polls. He also demanded social security cards for every working family and employment cards for educated youth.
Meanwhile, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari ridiculed the PPP gathering, claiming the party had failed to attract a significant crowd despite announcing a public event in Lahore to celebrate Mr Zardari’s birthday.
Congratulating the president on his birthday, Ms Bokhari said the PPP had been spared the embarrassment of holding a poorly-attended rally at the Minar-i-Pakistan. She alleged that around 150 people attended the Governor House event despite pacing 2,000 chairs at the venue and accused the PPP’s Punjab chapter leadership of misleading the party’s central leaders about its political strength in the province.
She also claimed the PPP’s provincial leadership was more focused on criticising the Punjab government than strengthening their own party, arguing that greater attention to organisational affairs could have improved the PPP’s standing in Punjab.
Published in Dawn, July 27th, 2026