Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif officially launched his party’s election campaign in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Tuesday. Addressing a large gathering in Muzaffarabad, the former prime minister combined political promises with light-hearted remarks.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz accompanied him during the campaign event. Nawaz urged voters to support the PML-N as phased AJK elections approach, with polling scheduled to begin on July 27.
Nawaz Sharif Makes Light-Hearted Prime Minister Remark
While addressing party supporters, Nawaz Sharif jokingly said that he would ask Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to appoint him as AJK’s prime minister if the PML-N won the elections.
The remark prompted laughter among supporters. Nawaz then turned to more serious issues, saying AJK needed greater attention, investment and development.
Nawaz Promises Major Increase in AJK Budget
Nawaz Sharif described AJK as his “second home” and promised to visit the region every three months if the PML-N formed the next government.
He said he would personally monitor development projects and pledged to increase AJK’s budget by ten times its current level.
The PML-N leader also promised development similar to the progress he said Punjab had experienced in recent years.
Nawaz questioned why a motorway connecting Kohala and Muzaffarabad had not yet been completed. He argued that better road infrastructure could strengthen trade and transform the regional economy.
PML-N Announces Healthcare and Transport Projects
Nawaz Sharif announced several initiatives aimed at improving public services across AJK.
He said 10 electric, air-conditioned green buses would soon operate in Muzaffarabad. He also announced plans to introduce 15 mobile hospitals to improve healthcare access in remote communities.
The former prime minister said his party had never discriminated between AJK, Gilgit-Baltistan and Pakistan’s provinces when implementing development projects.
Maryam Nawaz Announces Scholarships and Laptops
Maryam Nawaz also addressed the gathering and highlighted her connection with AJK through her family heritage.
She said the PML-N was seeking votes on the basis of its development record rather than promises alone.
Maryam announced 2,000 scholarships for AJK students and pledged to provide laptops to young people to support education and digital learning.
She also promised to extend several Punjab government initiatives to AJK, including housing programmes, cleanliness projects and youth-focused schemes.
PML-N Campaign Focuses on Development
The PML-N campaign is now gaining momentum as the AJK elections approach.
Party leaders are focusing their campaign on infrastructure, education, healthcare, public transport and economic development.
Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz say a PML-N government in AJK would accelerate development and expand opportunities for residents across the region.
