Bilawal warns rigged polls will hasten PML-N downfall

MUZAFFARABAD:

Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Thursday made a direct appeal to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf voters and workers in Muzaffarabad Division to support PPP candidates in the August 2 elections to defeat the PML-N.

Addressing a public rally at Khurshid Hassan Khurshid Stadium, Bilawal urged the PTI voters to abandon political disengagement and participate in the electoral process.

"Instead of staying away, they should engage in politics," he said, calling on the PTI voters to cast their ballots for the PPP.

The PPP chairman urged his workers to mobilise voters in large numbers, saying an overwhelming turnout could frustrate any attempt to manipulate the election.

Bilawal accused the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz PML-N of turning the AJK elections into a matter of "life and death" to retain power and warned that alleged manipulation of the people's mandate would carry serious political consequences.

"If they hold free and fair elections in AJK, their government will face no problem. But if they rob the people's votes, then that will truly mark the beginning of their downfall," he said.

He vowed to defend the PPP's mandate, recalling the party's confrontation with military rulers from Gen Ziaul Haq to Gen Pervez Musharraf.

"We know how to protect our mandate, and we will do so," Bilawal declared. "Our jiyalas are experts at hunting the lion."

Bilawal framed the August 2 vote as a choice over Kashmir's political future, urging voters to support the PPP's arrow symbol for what he described as the "right to governance, right to ownership and right to employment".

"Election results should be decided by the ballot, not the bullet," he said, demanding that polling agents should not be removed and alleged vote theft should not be concealed behind official notifications.

He called for an open hearing into complaints arising from the first phase of the elections, with polling-station results, ballot counts and election records presented for public scrutiny.

Bilawal said the PPP had submitted video evidence of alleged rigging in Mirpur to the Election Commission but criticised the issuance of the official notification.

"A notification cannot turn a wrong into a right, nor can it conceal the robbery of votes," he said.

The PPP chairman also challenged the PML-N's development claims in Muzaffarabad, saying the PPP welcomed every bus, road, school and hospital project but wanted the ruling party to explain what it had delivered for the city.

He cited the 200 meters long CMH flyover, which he said was initiated by the PML-N government in 2020 but remained incomplete, while crediting PPP candidate Chaudhary Latif Akbar with overseeing construction of the 1,500-foot Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Bridge.

"Kashmir needs not only buses but rights and authority," Bilawal said. "We do not want to turn Kashmir into Punjab or Sindh. We want to build a stronger Kashmir with the cooperation of Pakistan."

He said Kashmiris should have ownership of their mountains, rivers and natural resources, along with a fair share of wealth and employment generated by projects involving the Neelum and Jhelum rivers.

Bilawal promised greater employment opportunities through apprenticeships, tourism and participation in the digital economy.

"The internet is not merely social media," he said, describing it as a classroom for students, an office for freelancers and a bank for small vendors.

He claimed the PPP had restored internet services in Mirpur and Muzaffarabad and pledged to extend high-speed connectivity to Rawalakot and other parts of AJK.

He also announced a post-election constitutional convention involving the government, opposition, refugee representatives, lawyers, youth, women and civil society to discuss Kashmir's constitutional future.

Bilawal demanded proportional representation for refugees in the AJK Assembly as well as representation in Pakistan's provincial assemblies.

He backed the AJK Assembly's resolution for a Truth and Reconciliation Commission and urged protesters and the federal government to accept the proposal to restore normal life.

Bilawal appealed to voters to support PPP candidates Mian Abdul Waheed, Javed Ayub, Bazil Naqvi, Sardar Mukhtar Abbasi, Mubashir Awan, Chaudhary Latif Akbar, Sahibzada Ashfaq Zafar and Dewan Ali Chughtai in the Muzaffarabad division.

He also urged refugee voters to reject claims that refugee seats were already in anyone's "pocket" by voting for the PPP's arrow symbol.