Bilawal Bhutto Questions Whether National Interest or PML-N’s Interests Are Being Prioritized, Raises Concerns Over AJK Elections

MUZAFFARABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has questioned whether national interest or the interests of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) are being given priority, alleging electoral irregularities in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and vowing to safeguard his party’s public mandate.

Addressing a PPP workers’ convention in Muzaffarabad, Bilawal said the state must decide whether protecting Pakistan’s national interest is more important than safeguarding the political interests of the PML-N. He maintained that the PPP stands with the State of Pakistan in matters of national interest but is not prepared to support any political agenda that serves partisan interests.

Bilawal alleged that the public mandate in Mirpur and Kotli had been undermined during the AJK elections and vowed that his party would reclaim what he described as its “snatched seats” through constitutional, legal, and democratic means.

“The state must now decide whether national interest is more important or protecting the interests of the PML-N,” he said, adding that every state decision appears to be favoring the ruling party, a situation he claimed was harming Kashmir, Pakistan, and its people.

The PPP chairman raised concerns over reported attacks on polling stations and internet disruptions during the electoral process, arguing that such circumstances are inconsistent with the principles of free and fair elections. He remarked that if polling stations are attacked and internet services are suspended, “it would resemble occupied Kashmir rather than Azad Kashmir.”

Bilawal further stated that the election of the President of Azad Kashmir should have been conducted strictly in accordance with the Constitution and urged authorities to uphold democratic norms in the region.

Questioning the transparency of the electoral process, he asked whether the prevailing situation in Azad Kashmir could genuinely be described as democracy. He thanked the people of Mirpur for supporting the PPP and claimed that the party had secured a majority through the people’s votes.

He alleged that phased elections in Azad Kashmir, which were intended to provide enhanced security at polling stations, were instead being used to facilitate electoral manipulation. Bilawal also questioned how attacks could take place at around 30 polling stations despite the presence of security arrangements.

The PPP chairman said his party would not remain silent in the face of what it considers an attack on the people’s right to vote. He reiterated that the PPP has always made sacrifices for democracy and would continue its struggle to defend democratic values and the public mandate.

Bilawal further claimed that a PPP worker had been killed during the election period and vowed to pursue justice for party supporters. “We will not bow before anyone and will continue serving the people,” he said, adding that those expecting the PPP to remain silent were mistaken.

He concluded by asserting that regardless of the official vote count, the people’s will had already favored the PPP’s electoral symbol, the arrow, and pledged that his party would continue its constitutional and democratic struggle to protect the rights of the people of Azad Kashmir.