Former Prime Minister and PML-N president Nawaz Sharif on Friday advised PPP president Bilawal Bhutto Zardari not to take political comments personally, emphasizing healthy political rivalry over resentment. Nawaz Sharif, accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, spoke at an election rally in Mirpur, about 258 kilometers from Muzaffarabad. They criticized rival parties for making big promises before the election before handing over responsibility for resolving public affairs to the federal government.
"This is Kashmir, not Kashmir, and this is Mirpur, not Mirpurkhas." Nawaz said, referring to the two Sindh districts where the PPP has been in power for several years. He promised to take AJK to a "new era of development, prosperity and modern infrastructure".
"A PML-N government will modernize AJK by expanding transportation, education, healthcare and other public services." Nawaz told the meeting, adding that he would personally supervise the implementation of key development projects across the region.
"The people of Mirpur deserve the same quality of public services available in Punjab," he said, adding that if electric buses can run in Lahore and Islamabad, there is no reason why the people of AJK should be deprived of them. Nawaz said the PML-N had consistently executed development projects in AJK and challenged political opponents to identify any government that had undertaken more significant initiatives in the region. "Wherever you see major development work in AJK, you will find the footprint of the PML-N," said. He also announced that every deserving AJK student would be provided with a laptop to promote access to modern education and technology. Addressing the rally, Maryam Nawaz described herself as a "cashmere daughter"saying that both his paternal and maternal grandparents belonged to the region. "I consider myself a Kashmiri in heart and soul," she said, adding that she was proud of her Kashmiri heritage despite criticism from her political opponents. The Punjab chief minister expressed concern over the state of roads in Mirpur and said the city deserved better infrastructure in recognition of the sacrifices and contributions made by Kashmiris to the development of Pakistan. He announced that if elected, a PML-N government in AJK would provide 10 modern electric buses for Mirpur and reiterated Nawaz Sharif’s commitment to establish an international standard airport in the city. "Nawaz Sharif has a track record of keeping his promises," she said. Maryam said AJK also needed welfare initiatives similar to those introduced in Punjab, including modern hospitals, free delivery of medicines to homes, transport projects, ration cards and social protection programmes. Without naming PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, he criticized political parties which he said made big promises during election campaigns but shifted the responsibility of solving public problems to the federal government once in office.
