Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Saturday urged people of Azad Kashmir to vote for candidates of Pakistan People’s Party, which is committed to empower people and protect their rights.
Addressing leaders and workers of Pakistan People’s Party Azad Kashmir at a convention here, the Prime Minister pledged the elections will be transparent and fair and people will be free to express their choice.
Gilani was confident that people would support PPP candidates in the upcoming elections in Azad Kashmir.
He said People’s Party was founded on the basis of Kashmir issue as Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto raised the slogan that he would fight for the rights of Kashmiris for a thousand years.
Gilani lauded the services and sacrifices of PPP leaders and workers for the promotion of democracy and welfare of people.
The Prime Minister said Zulfiqar Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto were in the forefront in the struggle for democracy and restored rights of the people. He said PPP has its roots in democracy and it formed governments through power of the people and not through the back door.
He advised the PPP leadership to shun their personal differences and get united in line with the vision of their leader Benazir Bhutto.
Gilani said PPP is the biggest federal party of the country and has its governments in Islamabad, Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “We respect mandate of the people and we have no intention to cause fall of any government as wanted to strengthen democracy and national institutions,” he added.
The Prime Minister reminded that Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto did not lay down their lives to become prime ministers but to empower people. He reiterated resolve of the Pakistani government to continue moral, diplomatic and political support for the freedom of Kashmir.
Mentioning sacrifices of the Kashmiri people, he said, “the blood of Kashmiris will bear results and the sun of freedom will rise for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.” He said people of Pakistan and Kashmir are bonded in spiritual ties and share a common destiny.
He promised that development activities will be carried out in Azad Kashmir without making any financial cuts and projects of telecommunication, hospitals,colleges, universities and power stations will be completed.
Acknowledging sacrifices of people of Kashmir, he said the government is committed to resolve problems of the people, create jobs, raise living standards and create a vibrant economy.
Gilani said government will continue implementing policies for the benefits of labourers, farmers and vulnerable sections of society. He said PPP is the party which made Pakistan a nuclear power and enhanced its image in the comity of nations.
“We are against terrorism as we do not want law and order situation to deteriorate in Pakistan,” he said adding, “We want to work with the international community against terrorism on the basis of equality and with dignity.”
The Prime Minister asserted that the sacrifices of Pakistan’s armed forces, police and paramilitary forces are more than the combined sacrifices of NATO and international forces.
Thousands of party workers were present at the convention, who warmly welcomed the Prime Minister on his arrival at the venue.
The Prime Minister announced financial grant for the local press club, saying it will help in making the media strong so it can disseminate information among the people.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Kashmir Affairs Mian Manzoor Wattoo said PPP leaders and workers were making efforts to keep the nation united. He said Pakistan has given tremendous sacrifices to fight militancy and sacrificed thousands of lives of its military personnel and civilians.
“The world should acknowledge our sacrifices,” he said and paid tribute to the armed forces for safeguarding frontiers of the country.
Wattoo said PPP has its origins in democracy while PML-N has its birth in the era of dictatorship.
Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto gave his life for the cause of democracy but leaders of other parties got scared of jails and went into exile after signing agreement with a dictator, he observed.
He said PML-N has no political future in AJK or other provinces while PPP is marching forward with the support of people. He said elections in AJK and other parts of Pakistan will be held in a free and fair manner.
President Pakistan People’s Party AJK Chaudhry Abdul Majeed said PPP always stood to protect sovereignty and territorial integrity of Pakistan.
PPP leaders Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto came to the rescue of Pakistan, when it was facing difficult times due to wrong policies of dictators, he added.
Abdul Majeed said people of Azad Kashmir will not hesitate from giving any sacrifice to uphold the interest of Pakistan.
Former AJK prime minister and senior PPP leader Sardar Yaqub Khan said PPP is committed to fight for the basic rights of Kashmiris. He said PPP raised voice for Kashmiris not only in Pakistan but also abroad.
He thanked the federal government for increasing funds for development projects in Azad Kashmir.
Senior PPP leader Barrister Sultan Mehmood said the people of AJK will always stand shoulder to shoulder with the oppressed people of Indian Occupied Kashmir.
He said PPP was founded on the issue of Kashmir and Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto refused to compromise on the rights of Kashmiris.
He said PPP would emerge victorious in the next elections due to visionary policies of its leaders.
