Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and SAFRON Engineer Amir Muqam on Friday urged the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) to respect the outcome of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections instead of questioning the results, saying the party should examine why voters rejected it despite its influence in the region’s government and administrative structure.
Addressing a large public rally in Khawra, Muzaffarabad, in support of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate for LA-31 Saqib Majeed Raja, the minister said the high voter turnout reflected the victory of democracy and the political maturity of the Kashmiri people.
“Rather than raising objections to the election results, the PPP should review the reasons behind its defeat,” he said, adding that the party’s allegations were unfounded as the AJK government and administrative machinery were already under its influence.
Mr Muqam said parties should avoid creating unnecessary political disputes and instead respect the public mandate.
He noted that PML-N also had reservations regarding results in certain constituencies but chose to uphold the democratic process.
Highlighting PML-N’s electoral performance, he said the party’s organisational efforts over the past two years had begun yielding results and expressed confidence that voters in Muzaffarabad Division would place even greater trust in the party after Mirpur.
Mr Muqam praised the police, district administration and the people of AJK for ensuring peaceful elections, describing them as deserving of appreciation for maintaining a democratic atmosphere.
On development projects, he announced that construction of the Khawra-Charkpora link road would be completed on a priority basis.
He also said the federal government was constructing five Daanish Schools in AJK and expressed the desire to establish one in Khawra as well.
The minister said the federal government would continue providing subsidies and relief measures for the people of AJK while pursuing development and public welfare projects across the region.
He further revealed that progress was under way on the Mansehra-Muzaffarabad-Mirpur Expressway project and that tenders for the scheme would be issued soon.
Paying tribute to Pakistan’s armed forces and the federal government, Mr Muqam said enemy designs had been thwarted through the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the armed forces.
PML-N candidate Saqib Majeed Raja pledged to fulfil his development commitments and serve the constituency if elected with public support.
The federal minister received a warm welcome on arrival at the rally venue, where party workers showered flower petals and raised slogans in support of PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Amir Muqam.
A large number of party workers and supporters attended the gathering.
