Politicking picks up ahead of July 27 AJK elections

The election campaign for the July 27 Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections entered its decisive phase on Monday, with the country’s top political leadership set to address major public rallies in Muzaffarabad and Nakyal on Tuesday in an effort to woo vacillating voters.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz President Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz will address a public rally at Khurshid Hassan Khurshid Stadium in the AJK capital city, while Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will address his party’s election gathering in Nakyal.

The PML-N rally is expected to draw thousands of supporters from Muzaffarabad and adjoining constituencies, making it one of the party’s largest election gatherings in AJK ahead of polling day.

AJK PML-N President Shah Ghulam Qadir said Nawaz and CM Maryam would present the party’s vision for AJK, outline its development agenda and seek public support for PML-N candidates.

“The people of Azad Kashmir have always reposed confidence in Nawaz Sharif’s leadership. The Muzaffarabad rally will be a historic gathering and will send a strong message in favour of the PML-N ahead of the July 27 elections,” Qadir said.

He said party workers had completed all preparations for the public meeting and expressed confidence that a large number of supporters would attend.

Security has been tightened across the AJK capital ahead of the high-profile visit, with law enforcement agencies finalising arrangements to ensure the peaceful conduct of the rally.

Earlier on Monday, Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and SAFRON Amir Muqam and Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah visited Muzaffarabad’s main markets along with PML-N candidate Barrister Iftikhar Gilani, where they interacted with traders and voters as part of the party’s election campaign.

Meanwhile, Bilawal is scheduled to address a public gathering in Nakyal as part of his ongoing election drive across AJK. Bilawal would present the PPP’s election manifesto, highlight its development agenda and reiterate the party’s position on the Kashmir issue while seeking public support for its candidates.

With less than a week remaining before polling, both the PML-N and PPP have stepped up their campaigns with senior national leaders making high-profile appearances in a bid to galvanise supporters and vote banks ahead of the contest for the 45-member AJK Legislative Assembly.