Bilawal Bhutto Vows to Defend Public Mandate in AJK, Calls for Transparent Probe into Rigging Allegations

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has vowed to defend the public mandate in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) “at all costs,” calling for transparent investigations into allegations of electoral irregularities and violence during the electoral process.

Addressing party workers in Muzaffarabad, Bilawal said that history bears witness that oppression, coercion, and injustice can never be described as democracy. He stressed that genuine democracy is founded upon peace, justice, and the protection of people’s rights.

He urged the people of AJK to judge for themselves whether the recent elections reflected a truly democratic process. Bilawal thanked the people of Mirpur Division for placing their trust in the PPP despite difficult circumstances and congratulated Chaudhry Yasin, Malik Zafar, Qasim Majeed, Sardar Sultan, Chaudhry Akhlaq, and other successful candidates on their victories.

The PPP chairman alleged that attempts had been made in certain constituencies to alter the public mandate and asserted that no one would be allowed to undermine the votes cast by the people of Mirpur and Kotli. He claimed that PPP polling agents were allegedly expelled from some polling stations, incidents of violence took place, and security arrangements appeared inadequate. He called for transparent investigations into these incidents, including the killing of a party worker.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said the PPP would pursue every constitutional, legal, and democratic avenue to safeguard the people’s vote and mandate and would not bow to any pressure. He questioned how incidents of violence and attacks at polling stations could have occurred if the elections had been entirely transparent.

He emphasized that the identity, democratic dignity, and rights of the people of Azad Kashmir must be protected at all costs, adding that the restoration of peace and order, the protection of citizens’ lives and property, and constitutional and peaceful solutions to the issues facing young people are among the country’s most pressing needs.

Calling for either a judicial inquiry or an independent investigative commission, Bilawal urged authorities to identify those responsible for the alleged incidents and take legal action against anyone found to have taken the law into their own hands.

The PPP chairman also stressed that national interest must remain paramount in all state decisions and that no political party’s interests should take precedence over Pakistan’s broader interests. He reiterated that while the PPP stands with the State of Pakistan, it will continue its struggle to protect the public mandate, democratic rights, and the dignity of Azad Kashmir.

Bilawal further stated that the future of Kashmir should be determined solely through the votes of the Kashmiri people and that no citizen should be deprived of the right to vote or compelled to boycott the electoral process. He urged voters to make informed choices based on candidates’ abilities, character, and commitment to public service.

He appealed to the public not to lose faith in the democratic process, emphasizing that boycotting elections is not a solution and that meaningful participation remains the most effective path to democratic change.

Alleging that the public mandate in Mirpur had been compromised, Bilawal called for the establishment of an independent commission to investigate the prevailing situation. He maintained that no occupation of polling stations or attack on the public mandate would be accepted, nor would violence against party workers and candidates be tolerated.

Reaffirming the PPP’s commitment to peaceful and democratic struggle, Bilawal urged political forces to avoid provocation and stated that the party would defend the people’s right to vote and their democratic mandate at every forum. He declared that no one would be allowed to “steal the people’s vote” in the elections scheduled for August 2.

The PPP chairman also appealed to party workers and supporters to participate enthusiastically in the party’s public gathering in Muzaffarabad on July 30 and to encourage others to attend, saying that the collective voice of the Kashmiri people should be presented forcefully before the world.