National ( The cow news digital ) Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has called on the government to address the ongoing situation in Azad Kashmir, saying that if the state can help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, it should also take steps to restore normal conditions in Kashmir.
Addressing an election gathering in Dadyal, Bilawal said the upcoming Azad Kashmir elections are among the most significant in the region’s history. He described the current circumstances as a major test for both political parties and state institutions.
Bilawal said the role of politicians is not limited to gaining power but also includes raising public concerns and finding solutions to people’s problems. He warned that when political leadership fails to perform its responsibilities, crises emerge and non-political groups can gain influence.
Referring to the ongoing unrest and restrictions in Azad Kashmir, the PPP chairman said he had proposed the formation of a reconciliation commission but claimed that neither the government nor protesters had responded positively to the proposal. He urged authorities to suspend actions until the commission completes its findings, while also asking protesters to end their sit-in and return home.
Bilawal criticized the continued suspension of mobile phone and internet services in parts of the region, questioning the impact on ordinary citizens. He said the issue affects not only Kashmir but also broader concerns related to other regions, including Gilgit-Baltistan.
The PPP leader appealed to voters to support his party’s candidates in the July 27 elections, saying that his party would continue efforts to secure rights related to governance, ownership, and employment opportunities for the people of Kashmir.
Bilawal also spoke about land ownership and resource rights, stating that natural resources, including rivers, mountains, and land, should benefit the people of the region. He said the PPP would continue opposing policies that, according to him, undermine the rights of local communities.
Criticizing political opponents, Bilawal said the election contest in Azad Kashmir would mainly be between the PPP and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). He accused rival parties of promoting division and said his party would work to end identity-based politics in the region.
He also demanded clarification from federal ministers over controversial statements related to Kashmir, saying that government officials must explain whether such remarks represent official policy or personal views.
Bilawal concluded that decisions about Kashmir’s future should be made by its people rather than being controlled by outside interests. He urged voters to participate in the election process and support what he described as a movement for greater rights and representation.
