Mirpur: Former Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) prime minister and senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Raja Muhammad Farooq Haider Khan has described the AJK state as a ‘critically ill patient’ being kept alive through artificial means, asserting that only the PML-N has the ability to reform the existing system.
Addressing an appreciation rally from Chinary to Chakothi and later a reception at Gujjar Bandi in Hattian Bala on Saturday, Farooq Haider thanked voters of his constituency for supporting him in the recent election. He alleged that opponents had offered money and other incentives to voters during the campaign, but around 22, 000 voters of LA-7 Jehlum Valley rejected such tactics and supported the PML-N’s political narrative and development agenda. He warned that the growing trend of ‘money politics’ posed a serious threat to the future of the state.
The former premier also criticised the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), alleging that government machinery and officials associated with the Benazir Income Support Programme had been used for electoral purposes. He said the frequent changes of government, including four prime ministers in five years, had damaged the dignity and credibility of the state. He said a prospective PML-N government would focus on employment for youth, good governance, administrative reforms, and promoting harmony, tolerance and unity among the people.
Farooq Haider said the future government would restore the National Testing Service (NTS) system and make education, healthcare, roads, water supply and rural development its key priorities. He announced that, if the PML-N formed the government, the capabilities of party candidate from LA-7 Chaudhry Muhammad Rashid, who secured around 22, 000 votes after a 40-day campaign, would be utilised to improve the administrative system in Jehlum Valley. He also pledged to substantially increase the development budget, saying PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif attached particular importance to AJK’s development. Earlier, Farooq Haider was warmly received by residents during his appreciation rally in Chinary and Chakothi, where he vowed to restore peace, tolerance and brotherhood in AJK and reaffirmed solidarity with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Mirza Asif Mughal, Khawaja Masood Qadir, Syed Shafeeq Kazmi and other political and social figures attended the events.
