Islamabad: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) staged a major election rally in Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s LA-17 Haveli constituency on Friday, where Adviser to the Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah and Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Engr Amir Muqam addressed thousands of supporters in favor of the party’s candidate, Chaudhry Mohsin Aziz saying PML-N had secured a clear majority in the first two phases of the Azad Kashmir elections, required to form the government.
Chaudhry Mohsin Aziz warmly welcomed the two senior leaders upon their arrival at the venue, which was packed with PML-N workers, party leaders, and a large number of women supporters. Participants enthusiastically chanted slogans in support of Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz, Rana Sanaullah, and Engr Amir Muqam.
Addressing the gathering, Sanaullah described the rally as a “historic demonstration” of the Kashmiri people’s unwavering commitment to Pakistan.
Referring to the chants of “We are Pakistanis, and Pakistan is ours, ” he said the slogans reflected the sentiments of the people of Kashmir.
He reiterated Pakistan’s longstanding position on the Kashmir issue, stating that Kashmir is Pakistan’s “jugular vein” and that the country remains incomplete without Kashmir.
He paid tribute to the sacrifices of the people of Indian-administered Kashmir, saying that Indian actions had failed to weaken their determination for freedom.
Sanaullah also praised Pakistan’s armed forces, saying they had responded effectively to external threats under the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. He added that India had realized that military confrontation against Pakistan would not succeed.
Turning to the election campaign, Sanaullah claimed that PML-N had already secured a clear majority in the first two phases of the Azad Kashmir elections, winning 24 seats against the 23 required to form the government. He said the party would not require refugee seats to establish its government and described the election results as a reflection of the public’s confidence in PML-N.
He said that after Muzaffarabad and Mirpur, the people of Haveli had also demonstrated strong support for the party. Sanaullah added that if Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz have been encouraged by the public enthusiasm.
He said the presence of a PML-N government at the federal level would accelerate development in Azad Kashmir. Nawaz Sharif would personally oversee development projects in the region, while Maryam Nawaz would introduce Punjab-style development initiatives in Azad Kashmir, he said.
Sanaullah further maintained that the elections in Azad Kashmir were among the most transparent in the region’s history. Rejecting allegations of electoral rigging, he alleged that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) resorted to such claims after facing defeat, noting that the party had gradually reduced the number of constituencies in which it raised objections.
He also conveyed the greetings of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to the audience and announced that she would soon visit Haveli to thank the people for their support.
Meanwhile speaking on the occasion, Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Engr Amir Muqam described Haveli as his “second home, ” saying his relationship with its people was built on trust and affection.
He congratulated the people, claiming that PML-N had secured the mandate to form the government in Azad Kashmir. He also conveyed greetings from PML-N Leader Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Maryam Nawaz to the people of Haveli.
He said PML-N’s leadership had consistently stood with the people of Kashmir and asserted that voters had rejected what he described as the Pakistan Peoples Party’s “false promises” in favor of PML-N’s performance-based politics.
The federal minister said the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) was a national welfare initiative of the Government of Pakistan. He assured that all deserving beneficiaries would continue to receive assistance without discrimination.
Muqam also called on participants of the Rawalakot sit-in to join the democratic process, saying public mandates are determined through the ballot box rather than protests.
He praised the residents living along the Line of Control (LoC), describing them as the pride of Pakistan for their sacrifices in defense of the country.
He announced that road infrastructure and development projects in LoC areas would receive priority, adding that the government would expedite public welfare initiatives.
The minister also paid tribute to Pakistan’s armed forces, emphasizing that there would be no compromise on national security.
The rally concluded with loud chants of “Kashmir Banega Pakistan” and “Pakistan Zindabad. ” Newly elected members of the Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly, including Umair Naeem Advocate, Shoaib Abid, Raja Iftikhar, and Sardar Tariq Mahmood, also attended the event alongside senior PML-N leaders and workers.
Thousands of participants expressed solidarity with Chaudhry Mohsin Aziz and pledged to ensure his victory in the August 10 elections.
Party leaders described the Haveli gathering as one of the largest political shows of strength during the third phase of the Azad Kashmir election campaign and said it reflected growing public confidence in PML-N.