President Asif Ali Zardari in a meeting with Federal Minister for Interior & Narcotics Control, Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi at Bilawal House.

Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has paid glowing tribute to Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai (RA), saying that the timeless message of Sindh’s great Sufi saint continues to illuminate hearts with the eternal values of love, peace and humanity.

According to the press release issued by the Media Cell Bilawal House, Chairman PPP said in his message on the commencement of the annual three-day Urs that Shah Latif’s poetry transcends the boundaries of time, reminding humanity that true strength lies in tolerance, unity, humility and selfless service to others.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari urged the nation, particularly the youth, to embrace the message of Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai (RA) by rejecting hatred, violence and extremism, and by promoting love, harmony and respect for humanity in society and across the world. He reaffirmed that the PPP would continue to uphold and promote the Sufi traditions of peace, coexistence, inclusivity and social harmony that embody the true spirit of Pakistan.

Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, while addressing a workers’ convention in Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, quoted the ancient Roman historian Tacitus, who said, “To robbery, butchery and rapine, they give the lying name of ‘government’; they create a desolation and call it peace.” Chairman Bilawal said that he is reminded of this quote when he looks at the situation in Azad Kashmir today.

Chairman PPP asked the people whether what is happening in Azad Kashmir, from Mirpur to Poonch, could truly be called democracy. He expressed his gratitude to the people of Mirpur for giving the PPP the majority. He congratulated Malik Zafar, Qasim Majeed and Yasir Sultan on their victories, and Chaudhary Yasin for winning two seats. He also congratulated Chaudhary Akhlaq, saying that in accordance with the will of the people and the votes cast, he too had emerged victorious. Chairman Bilawal further congratulated Javed Badhanvi, stating that he had likewise won in line with the mandate of the people. He said that despite the counting being presented, the people of Mirpur have entrusted the PPP with the majority.

Chairman PPP said that it is now the party’s responsibility to ensure that every vote is protected and counted. “We will neither back down nor bow before anyone. We will reclaim every single one of our votes,” he said. Chairman Bilawal said that it was inconceivable for Chaudhary Yasin to lose his native constituency. He said that it was evident that Chaudhary Yasin would secure two seats for the PPP in every election, which is why such tactics had been employed against him. Recalling the previous elections, Chairman Bilawal said that despite being attacked with bullets, the PPP had protected its mandate. He said that it would be naïve to believe that the party would allow the votes of Mirpur and Kotli to be stolen. Thirty union councils in Chaudhary Yasin’s constituency had been taken over, polling agents had been forcibly removed from polling stations, and despite repeated requests for the Returning Officer and the police, neither arrived, Chairman PPP said.

Chairman Bilawal said that the public had been told that elections were being held in phases to ensure they remained peaceful and transparent. If that had truly been the objective, he asked, why were around thirty polling stations attacked despite the extensive security arrangements that had been promised? He said the PPP possesses video evidence of these incidents. The only explanation, he said, was that the phased elections were designed not to ensure fairness but to facilitate rigging. Around thirty polling stations in Chaudhary Yasin’s constituency and ten in Chaudhary Akhlaq’s constituency were attacked. Mukhtar Younus, a PPP worker from Javed Badhanvi’s constituency, was martyred. Chairman Bilawal said these incidents formed part of an unsuccessful attempt to create the impression that the people of Kashmir had turned away from the PPP. However, all such efforts had failed, as the PPP won these seats and every child in Kashmir knows this. Chairman PPP vowed that he would ensure the stolen votes of the people are restored.

Chairman Bilawal said that the state of Pakistan must decide whether its priority is the national interest or the interests of the PML-N. He said it appeared that every decision taken by the state had prioritised the interests of the PML-N over those of the nation. This harms not only the state but, more importantly, the people of Pakistan, he said. Chairman Bilawal said that the PPP proudly raises the slogan of “Pakistan Zindabad”, remains a pro-federation political party, and continues to stand alongside the government and the state whenever the national interest is at stake. “We are not prepared to help anyone protect the political interests of the PML-N,” he stated.

Chairman PPP urged the state of Pakistan to open its eyes. He said the PPP would never allow Azad Kashmir to resemble Occupied Kashmir. If Poonch were made to resemble Occupied Kashmir, with attacks on polling stations, gunfire, workers being martyred and internet services suspended, then, he said that Kashmir could hardly be described as “Azad”. He said that had the interests of the people truly been the priority, transparent and uncontroversial elections would have been conducted. Chairman Bilawal said that the people of Kashmir are fully aware of these developments. He said the story of rigging had not begun today, but that the PPP had remained silent only for the sake of the national interest. Sacrificing the national interest for the political interests of the PML-N was nothing new, he said. Chairman Bilawal said the PPP wants the matter to remain confined to AJK. Even the presidential election had not been conducted in accordance with the Constitution and the law because, had it been, the PPP would once again have emerged victorious, Chairman PPP said.

Chairman Bilawal said that the issue involving the protesters could have been resolved without violence or the loss of lives. Only the political interests of the PML-N had been prioritised. Asking whether a single seat was more valuable than a human life, he said the PPP had never demanded the abolition of the refugee seats, despite their repeated use against the party, including in the previous election. Nor had the PPP insisted that every demand of the protesters be accepted. Instead, he said, the party had consistently called for a middle ground. Chairman Bilawal said that the protesters had committed historic mistakes and should not have rejected the invitation extended by the Prime Minister of AJK to participate in the APC. However, he noted that for more than a month he had campaigned on a proposal to establish a Truth and Reconciliation Commission that could restore peace and stability to the lives of ordinary Kashmiris. Such a commission, he said, would not require the state to surrender or concede to any demands, it would simply distinguish truth from fiction. Chairman Bilawal questioned how many lives could have been saved had such a commission been established earlier. If neither the state of Pakistan nor the protesters are willing to step back, he asked, then what will become of the innocent people of Kashmir?

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that it is imperative for the most significant elections in Kashmir’s history to be conducted in a peaceful and transparent environment. He said the proposal put forward by the PPP was not about winning or losing, but about saving lives, and should therefore be accepted by both the state and the protesters. Chairman Bilawal said the PPP cannot bear to see its brothers martyred in such a manner. Chairman Bilawal said that the PPP has carried the coffins of their loved ones and therefore, understands the grief of the families of martyred police and military personnel, as well as those of the protesters who have lost their lives. Many of those killed, he said, were young people who had responded to political calls and, in some cases, had taken to the streets after remaining confined to their homes due to the internet shutdown. Chairman Bilawal said the PPP understands the suffering of their families and believes justice cannot be delivered through violence on the streets.

Chairman PPP instructed party workers to continue working day and night to secure victory for the PPP. He said that if another party were entrusted with government, the future would remain uncertain. He urged workers to convince the people to vote despite the prevailing atmosphere of disappointment created by coercion and force. Chairman Bilawal said that this was precisely the strategy of the opponents, who hoped that lower voter turnout would make rigging easier. The PTI leadership conspired against its own party by participating in the boycott. He urged the people to vote, assuring them that PPP representatives would regard every individual as a citizen rather than as a supporter of any political party. Chairman Bilawal said that the PPP had once made the mistake of boycotting elections in 1985, which ultimately enabled a particular individual to become Prime Minister three times. He said that if those boycotting the elections truly want the right to governance, the right to ownership and the right to employment, they should exercise their right to vote rather than take to the streets. “To secure your rights, stamp the arrow on 2 August,” he said.

Chairman PPP announced that the party would hold a rally on 30 July to send a clear message: “Kashmir Pe Daaka, Na-Manzoor.” He said the PPP’s struggle would continue until every stolen vote was recovered. Chairman Bilawal said the PPP is a peaceful political party whose only demand is that elections be conducted in a transparent manner. However, he stressed that the party would never accept the martyrdom of its workers or the looting of polling stations. He reiterated that the PPP wished to remain peaceful. Referring to his political lineage, Chairman Bilawal said he is the son of President Asif Ali Zardari and the nephew of Mir Shahnawaz Bhutto and Mir Murtaza Bhutto. He said the PPP wishes to pursue politics in the tradition of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, but should not be compelled to lose faith in the democratic process. Chairman Bilawal concluded by saying that the party would gather again on 30 July and celebrate its victory on 2 August.

Muzaffarabad, 27 July 2026: Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, while addressing a party gathering in Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, said that he is proud of his candidates and team. He said there is a clear difference between the Pakistan Peoples Party’s election campaign and those of the other parties. Describing the election as the most significant in Kashmir’s history, he stressed the importance of ensuring a credible democratic process.

Chairman PPP said that for an election of such significance, one hopes for the process to be as fair, transparent and uncontroversial as possible. Such an approach, he said, strengthens not only the electoral process but also the Assembly that is ultimately formed, enabling it to effectively address the challenges faced by the people of AJK. He added that it is imperative for normalcy to return to Kashmir so that the lives of ordinary citizens can become easier.

Chairman Bilawal said that the situation has already rendered the elections controversial to some extent. He noted that the issue of the refugee seats was not addressed before the elections in the manner it should have been. Furthermore, he said, the decision to hold the elections in phases, as well as the sequence of those phases, had raised concerns regarding the fairness of the electoral process. He emphasised that the responsibility of elected representatives is not merely to contest the election but to resolve the problems of the people, which requires a legitimate public mandate. Without such a mandate, he said, elected representatives lack the authority and credibility to take vital decisions. Referring to the widening gap with the youth of Kashmir, he said the political crisis must be addressed through dialogue and meaningful debate. He added that these issues are closely linked to the Kashmir dispute at the international level.

Chairman PPP said that while continuing the struggle for Kashmir on the international level, efforts must also be made to secure greater rights for the people of Kashmir domestically. He said the people of Kashmir deserve the same rights enjoyed by citizens in the rest of Pakistan. Legislation is the path to ensure that the voice of the people of Kashmir is heard across the country, he said. He hoped that the people of Kashmir would place their trust in the party’s manifesto centred on the right to governance, the right to ownership and the right to employment. The PPP receiving an even stronger mandate than last time will enable it to implement its proposed reforms, Chairman Bilawal said.

Central Information Secretary Nadeem Afzal Chan said that even ordinary rains had caused excessive water accumulation across Punjab and exposed the failures of the “Suthra Punjab” initiative. He stated that the damage was not due to heavy rainfall but due to the collapse of the sewerage system and poor planning, which resulted in losses worth billions of rupees for the people. Criticizing the Punjab Government’s priorities, he said irrigation was not on the government’s agenda. He added that the irrigation system developed during the British era was superior to the current system, and it had deteriorated due to lack of funding. On food security, Nadeem Chan said the PPP had repeatedly warned of a wheat shortage. He noted that Pakistan had achieved a wheat surplus only once, during a PPP government. “Check the price of bread in this country,” he said, adding that while the Federal Government had announced the purchase of 1 million tons of wheat, procurement from farmers was being ignored. He alleged that in Punjab, contracts for wheat procurement were given to 11 companies using public funds, and that police were being used in the process. He further claimed that wheat supplies from Kashmir were being blocked, while the people of Kashmir were in need of flour. Nadeem Afzal Chan challenged the government to review the condition of public schools in Punjab. He accused the government of failing to ensure transparent elections and good governance, and of copying policies without implementation. He questioned the ownership of the 11 companies awarded government contracts and said those who speak about the elite are correct. Speaking on Azad Kashmir, he alleged that PML-N candidates were involved in ballot stuffing in Kotli.

He said the PPP Chairman’s statement regarding representation for the people of Kashmir in Parliament was made in this context. “If there is any other solution for the right to self-determination and ownership, present it. We have come out to save the state. Do not wound the state further just to run your buses and planes,” he said. He added that if the administration was not used, people would not vote for a particular party. Referring to the PPP Chairman’s statement on Maulana’s remarks, he said “martyrs gave their lives, the elite consumed the benefits.” He alleged that administrative machinery had been used in these constituencies in the past. Sindh Provincial Minister Saeed Ghani said that firing was carried out by PML-N candidates during the AJK election campaign, in which some PPP workers were injured. He said the Election Commission’s role was not visible and alleged that sending buses before elections was an attempt to gain attention and votes. He criticized remarks naming two cities of one province, saying it had hurt the sentiments of the people of Sindh. “This is why people say that PML-N is not a federal party, it is a Punjab party,” he stated. Saeed Ghani said the PPP was contesting the elections as a political party despite past experiences, including the 1990 elections.

He expressed confidence that if the elections in Kashmir were held fairly, the results would be similar to those in Gilgit-Baltistan. He added that Kashmiris residing in Sindh and Karachi were aware of the facilities available there. He said the PPP was the only party protesting against India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. “Our demand is that the treaty should be implemented and that each province should receive its due share of water as per the agreement,” he said. Spokesperson Sindh Govt Sadia Javed stated that no one was allowed to usurp Sindh’s water in the past and would not be allowed to do so in the future. She added that Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto had also protested for the rights of Sindh’s water. The PPP leadership expressed hope that the party would emerge victorious in the AJK elections.

President Asif Ali Zardari has directed all federal, provincial and local authorities to intensify coordinated preparedness, rescue and relief measures as the country enters a critical phase of the monsoon season, with increasing rains raising the risk of flash floods, cloud bursts, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), landslides, river flooding and urban flooding in vulnerable areas.

The President expressed deep sorrow over the loss of precious lives and damage to homes, infrastructure and property caused by the recent rains and related incidents. He extended his heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost loved ones and expressed solidarity with all those affected.

The President directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs) as well as provincial and local authorities to maintain close coordination and ensure timely dissemination of early warnings. He called for continuous monitoring of rainfall, river flows and water levels in upper catchment regions, particularly in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and directed downstream areas to make advance preparations for possible flooding.

The President directed the authorities to pre-position rescue and relief resources, ensure the protection of vulnerable communities and critical infrastructure and take necessary measures to protect tourists and visitors in areas at risk from flash floods, GLOFs and landslides.

The President emphasised that all concerned institutions must remain vigilant and ensure an immediate response wherever lives or property are at risk. He urged the public to follow official advisories and avoid unnecessary travel to areas facing warnings of heavy rain, flash floods, landslides or other weather-related hazards. He expressed appreciation for the efforts of rescue workers and emergency personnel engaged in relief operations and prayed for the safety of the people across the country.

Mirpur, 22 July 2026: Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, addressing a mammoth election rally in Mirpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, said that Mirpur is like a second home to him. He said the relationship between the PPP and the people of Mirpur spans three generations, adding that he was proud to see a new generation of young Kashmiris ready to dedicate themselves to the cause of Kashmir and Pakistan.

Chairman Bilawal said that, as Pakistan’s youngest ever Foreign Minister and Chairman of the PPP, he had worked alongside the late Barrister Sultan, father of Yasir Sultan, who had himself worked closely with Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. He said that it is now their responsibility to carry forward the mission of their elders. Likewise, he said, Qasim Majeed has worked alongside him, just as his father had worked alongside Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. Chairman Bilawal expressed the hope that both candidates would continue serving the people of Kashmir together, united as brothers.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the upcoming election is among the most significant in Kashmir’s history, as the future of the region depends upon the decision the people make. Addressing the people of Kashmir, he said his wish is for them to make a choice that secures a brighter future and reduces the hardships they face. He said Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto made historic decisions by giving Pakistan a unanimous, federal and truly Islamic Constitution, while also laying the foundations of the country’s nuclear capability, the only one in the Muslim Ummah. Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, he said, made history by defeating two dictators, and her achievements will forever be remembered. President Asif Ali Zardari, he added, restored the true spirit of the 1973 Constitution through the landmark 18th Amendment, fulfilling the constitutional vision for which Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto had struggled throughout her political life. Through the Benazir Income Support Programme, he translated Quaid-e-Awam’s vision of Roti, Kapra aur Makaan into practical relief for millions of Pakistanis.

Chairman Bilawal said that it is now his generation’s turn to leave its mark on history. He said he wants history to remember that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari secured the right to rule, the right to ownership, and the right to employment for the people of AJK. He noted that the people of Gilgit-Baltistan have already endorsed the same manifesto, and the PPP would honour every promise made to them. Chairman PPP said that the people of Kashmir deserve the same rights enjoyed by the people of Pakistan and India, without compromising their internationally recognised struggle for the right to self-determination. He stressed that the right to rule extends far beyond the issue of the 12 refugee seats. The PPP, he said, is the only political party seeking a fair and just resolution of that matter. Those who believe the 12 seats are in their pocket are the very people denying justice to the people. While the PPP supports meaningful representation for refugees, neither Punjab nor Sindh should decide the future of Kashmir, Chairman PPP said. Only the people of Kashmir have that right.

Chairman Bilawal pledged to ensure justice for both the people of Kashmir and the refugees if the PPP is entrusted with a two-thirds majority. However, he said, the question of the right to rule goes much deeper than the issue of the refugee seats. Since 1947, Kashmir has survived on promises rather than solutions. Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had vowed to struggle for Kashmir for a thousand years if necessary, and the PPP remains committed to that promise. He questioned why Kashmir could not preserve its distinct identity while simultaneously ensuring that its voice is heard in Islamabad. Recalling that Barrister Sultan represented Kashmir at the OIC through the Observer Status secured by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, Chairman Bilawal said the PPP now seeks similar observer representation for AJK in Pakistan’s key constitutional institutions, including the CCI, NFC, National Assembly and the Senate.

Turning to the party’s second principle, Chairman Bilawal said the PPP firmly believes that the people are the rightful owners of their natural resources, whether in Sindh, Balochistan, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa or Kashmir. The mountains, rivers and land belong to the people alone. Referring to the policies being pursued by Modi in Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, he said the PPP wants to make it absolutely clear that the ownership of Kashmir’s resources rests solely with the Kashmiri people.

On employment, Chairman Bilawal said the PPP is the only party with a proven record spanning three generations. Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto created employment opportunities not only within Pakistan but also across Europe and the Gulf, enabling generations of Pakistanis to build better futures abroad. Even today, he said, the people of Mirpur continue contributing to Pakistan’s economy through remittances made possible by those initiatives. He recalled that Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto became synonymous with employment generation, so much so that the slogan, “Benazir Aaye Gi, Rozgaar Laaye Gi,” became part of popular political discourse. Despite criticism for creating jobs, she declared that if providing employment was a crime, she would do it again.

Chairman PPP said Kashmir needs a government that can guarantee its people the right to rule, ownership of their land, and employment opportunities for its youth. He urged party workers to take the PPP’s manifesto to every household across Kashmir so that the people may secure the same rights enjoyed elsewhere in Pakistan.

Chairman Bilawal said that differences of opinion strengthen democratic societies, and every citizen has the right to express their views. However, he said, the current situation in Kashmir is being handled in an inappropriate manner. The PPP believes the crisis can be resolved through dialogue and the proposal it has already presented. Referring to the letter written by the protestors, Chairman Bilawal said he had responded by proposing the establishment of an independent Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate the matter. Until its findings are presented, the protestors should suspend their activities while the State should halt its actions. He said ordinary Kashmiris are being punished for a dispute between the protestors and the governments of Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. A protest, he said, remains legitimate only when it remains peaceful, but the PPP also strongly opposes the policy of collective punishment being imposed. Such an approach, he said, reflects the outdated mindset of the era of the FCR. He also questioned why internet services continue to be suspended when protestors themselves are able to upload videos without difficulty.

Chairman PPP said he has directed the PPP President AJK to formally write to the Election Commission, questioning how a free and transparent election can take place when internet services remain suspended and digital election campaigns cannot be conducted. He said the PPP has consistently sought to improve the situation rather than inflame it. Unfortunately, he added, the irresponsible statements made by certain federal ministers have only worsened tensions. Referring to the PML-N rally held in Muzaffarabad a day earlier, Chairman Bilawal said it was deeply disappointing that neither its leadership nor its speakers addressed the controversy or distanced themselves from those remarks. Even today, he said, ministers are adamant on their damaging statements. If such individuals remain in the federal cabinet, despite these statements, it creates the impression that the federal government itself endorses those views. Since neither the former Prime Minister nor the current Chief Minister condemned those remarks during yesterday’s rally, the PPP has every reason to believe they now represent official PML-N policy.

Chairman Bilawal appealed to the people across every constituency of Kashmir to break with old political loyalties and vote for Kashmir by stamping the arrow. He said that before every election in AJK, the PML-N resorts to divisive rhetoric on Kashmir, whereas the PPP has always rejected the politics of hatred and division. They may believe they already have 12 seats in their pocket, he said, but the people will show them that Kashmir decides its own destiny. Chairman Bilawal said that the PML-N leadership is boasting about development in Punjab while disparaging the condition of roads elsewhere, despite having ruled Pakistan repeatedly. The PPP, by contrast, has been in office in Kashmir for only six months and proudly stands by its performance during that period.

Chairman Bilawal said he travelled to Dadyal through Kahuta, and the roads there were certainly not paved with “milk and honey.” He said that the PML-N behaves as though Raiwind alone represents Punjab, while ignoring the realities of Cholistan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Vehari, Bhakkar and Potohar. He recalled that during the GB elections, PML-N’s promise was to turn GB into Lahore. Yet, despite years in power, they failed to transform even Kasur into Lahore, let alone GB. The people of GB rejected those hollow promises and instead chose the PPP’s vision of the right to rule, the right to ownership and the right to employment.

Chairman Bilawal said that at a time when the people of Kashmir are demanding greater rights and the issue of the 12 refugee seats has become increasingly controversial, the PML-N’s answer is to introduce legislation that would strip Kashmir of whatever limited rights it currently possesses. One proposal, he said, seeks to take away the people’s right to elect their own Prime Minister by transferring that authority to the PM of Pakistan. Another would make it possible for someone with no connection whatsoever to Kashmir to become its PM. They now want the three-time PM and two-time CM from Raiwind to become the PM of Kashmir as well, he said.

Chairman PPP said the entire Kashmir awaits the decision the people of Mirpur will make. The people must decide whether they wish to secure greater rights for Kashmir or surrender those rights to the rulers of Raiwind. He urged the electorate to stamp the arrow if they believe in the right to rule, the right to ownership, and in defending the identity of Kashmir against those who seek to question it. Chairman Bilawal expressed confidence that, just as in GB, the PPP would emerge victorious in AJK. He urged the people to elect Yasir Sultan, Qasim Majeed, Sohaib Arshad and Afsar Shahid if they truly seek prosperity, progress and a stronger future for Kashmir.

President Asif Ali Zardari has extended his heartfelt felicitations to Prime Minister Andy Burnham on assuming office as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

The President expressed the hope that under Prime Minister Burnham’s leadership, Pakistan and the United Kingdom would further strengthen their longstanding bilateral partnership and expand cooperation across areas of mutual interest.

President Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to dialogue, diplomacy and the peaceful resolution of disputes. He noted that, as the world, particularly the Gulf region, has been passing through a turbulent period since late February, Pakistan has played its part in promoting peace with the support of many brotherly countries. He expressed the hope that the United Kingdom, under Prime Minister Burnham’s leadership, would also play its part in securing a cessation of the current hostilities and return to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.

The President wished Prime Minister Burnham success in his new responsibilities and said that he looked forward to working together to further deepen the enduring ties between Pakistan and the United Kingdom.

Sikandar Hayat Stadium, Kotli, 19 July 2026: Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, addressing a massive election rally in Kotli, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, said that Kotli feels like home to him. The PPP candidates contesting the elections are not merely party workers, but members of the PPP family. Chairman Bilawal said that today, Chaudhary Yasin’s fourth generation addressed the rally, adding that he still remembered Chaudhary Yasin standing by the party during their years in exile. He described Chaudhary Yasin as a symbol of loyalty in Kotli, saying that the bond between the PPP and the people of Kotli had been forged over generations and would endure for generations to come.

Chairman PPP said that the PPP remains the most popular political force in the election. So many aspirants wished to contest on the PPP ticket that the party had more deserving candidates than available seats. He said the leadership had to choose between rewarding long-standing loyalists and accommodating new entrants. “When the party was considering candidates, I instructed the leadership to prioritise our loyal workers,” Chairman Bilawal said. Recalling the selection process for LA-13, he said it was not a difficult decision to choose between a new entrant and the son of Matloob Inqalabi. Matloob Inqalabi had dedicated his life to the PPP, and today his son is carrying forward that legacy on the party’s ticket. Chairman Bilawal said that he has fulfilled his responsibility by awarding the ticket, and it is now the responsibility of the people to ensure his victory.

Recalling the previous elections, Chairman PPP said that the PPP had contested under far more challenging circumstances, when PML-N governed Kashmir and PTI was in power in the centre. Despite those obstacles, the people of Kashmir placed their trust in the PPP. Today, the circumstances are different. The PPP has been governing Kashmir for the past six months, while PML-N is in the federal government. Therefore, the challenges are no longer the same.

Addressing the rally, Chairman Bilawal declared that he wanted every seat in Kotli. He said the rivals knew Javed Badhanvi was heading towards victory and retaliated by registering an FIR against him. They want to portray the people of Kashmir as terrorists, but they will never succeed in intimidating PPP workers, he said. They have forgotten that this is the party whose leader embraced the gallows rather than bow before dictatorship. The people of LA-9 will elect Jawed Badhanvi with a resounding mandate, he added, warning that those responsible for harassing PPP workers would be held accountable.

Addressing the jiyalas of LA-8, Chairman Bilawal expressed confidence that Malik Zafar would emerge victorious, while Chaudhary Akhlaq too must secure a landslide mandate from LA-11. He said the remaining two seats rested with Chaudhary Yasin, who had previously won both under extraordinarily difficult circumstances, even while his son was arrested. Those who once sought to imprison them are now facing imprisonment themselves, he said. This time, he said, Chaudhary Yasin must emerge victorious with an even larger majority.

Chairman Bilawal said that the manifesto he has brought before the people has already been endorsed by the people of Gilgit-Baltistan. He said that he has now come to Kashmir with the same three fundamental principles, the right to rule, the right to ownership, and the right to employment. He said the struggle for Kashmir’s right to rule had been helmed internationally by Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, carried forward by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, and later by himself as Pakistan’s youngest ever foreign minister on a global level and even on Indian soil. Chairman Bilawal said the third generation of the PPP stands ready to continue Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto’s mission, following her pledge that “we will spill blood where the sweat of Kashmiris has spilled.”

Chairman PPP said that Quaid-e-Awam had always maintained that only the people of Kashmir could determine Kashmir’s future. He said the younger generation seeks change and demands greater constitutional and political rights. Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto secured Observer Status for AJK in the OIC, he noted, expressing that his vision is to secure a similar status for Kashmir within Pakistan itself. He said the PPP seeks observer representation for Kashmir in key national institutions, including the CCI, NFC and the National Assembly. Chairman Bilawal said that he envisions a day when representatives of Kashmir would sit alongside the MNA from Larkano. Chairman Bilawal added that in future elections Chaudhary Yasin could contest as an interim MNA, enabling Kashmir’s own representatives to directly raise the voice of the Kashmiri people in Parliament.

Chairman PPP said that Kashmir’s mountains, rivers, and natural resources belong to the people of Kashmir. Just as the PPP has pledged to protect the resources of GB, it would make the same commitment to the people of Kashmir. He said that whenever employment has been created in Pakistan, it has been under the PPP. Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto created opportunities for Pakistanis not only at home but also across Europe and the Gulf. Even today, Pakistan’s economy benefits from remittances sent by overseas Pakistanis whose opportunities were created during his tenure. He said that Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto also became synonymous with employment generation, so much so that the slogan, “Benazir Aaye Gi, Rozgaar Laaye Gi,” became part of everyday political discourse.

Chairman Bilawal said that every Pakistani is deeply concerned about the prevailing situation in Kashmir. He said he personally understands the pain of loss, having lost Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, both his maternal uncles, and his mother. That is why, he said, he empathises equally with the families of martyred soldiers and police officers, as well as with the families of young people who have not returned from the protests. Human life, he stressed, is above any legislative dispute. Just as the PPP believes Sindh should decide for Karachi and Balochistan should decide for itself, it believes that only Kashmir can decide its own future.

Chairman Bilawal said that when he visited Muzaffarabad, the Action Committee wrote to him, and he responded the very next day. He said he also presented the same proposal to PM Shehbaz Sharif. The proposal calls for the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to independently investigate the matter and present its findings. Until then, the protestors would suspend their activities while the State would halt its actions. Such an arrangement, he said, would create space for dialogue and progress. However, neither the protestors nor the PM’s representative have responded. If they do not agree to this proposal, they should present an alternative, he said, stressing that Kashmir has remained shut for days. Addressing the protestors directly, Chairman Bilawal said that ordinary Kashmiris are paying the price for a dispute with the State. He urged the federal government to immediately restore internet services, saying that collective punishment of innocent citizens and damage to their livelihoods was unacceptable.

Chairman PPP said that the people of Kashmir are courageous, loyal, and patriotic, and that all their grievances deserve to be addressed. Referring to the upcoming election on 27 July, he said it is now for the people to decide whether they wish to be represented by the PPP or by those who do not even consider Rawalakot and Mirpur to be part of Kashmir. He noted that the federal government has still not clarified whether the remarks made by its representative from Sialkot reflect official policy. If any minister believes that certain parts of Kashmir can simply be discarded, or that the seats of Kashmir are in their “pocket”, they should remember that the future of Kashmir rests only with the Kashmiri people.

On polling day, Chairman PPP said that the rain of arrows would hunt down the lion, and history would remember every corner of Kashmir echoing with the slogan of the Pakistan Peoples Party.

“Pakistan has consistently advocated a peaceful and just resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. We urge the international community, particularly the United Nations, to fulfil its responsibility by supporting efforts aimed at ensuring the realisation of the Kashmiri people’s inalienable right to self-determination.”

~ President Asif Ali Zardari Message on Kashmir’s Accession to Pakistan Day (Youm-e-Ilhaq-e-Pakistan),