KOTLI: Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, addressed an election rally in Kotli, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, reinforcing the party's deep-rooted ties with the region and its people. Highlighting the candidates as part of the PPP family rather than mere party workers, he urged the electorate to support the party's vision in the upcoming elections.
According to Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal reflected on the historical loyalty of Kotli's political figures, particularly Chaudhary Yasin, whose family has been intertwined with the PPP over generations. He emphasized the party's popularity and the challenge of selecting candidates from a pool of deserving aspirants, ultimately prioritizing loyalty and legacy in the decision-making process. Bilawal's speech also touched on PPP's past electoral challenges and its current governing role in Kashmir, contrasting it with previous administrations.
Bilawal's rally speech included a direct appeal for all Kotli seats, dismissing attempts to intimidate PPP workers through legal challenges against candidates like Javed Badhanvi. He expressed confidence in the PPP's candidates, mentioning Malik Zafar and Chaudhary Akhlaq, while underscoring Chaudhary Yasin's historical electoral success under adversity. The chairman reiterated the party's dedication to its foundational principles of governance, ownership, and employment rights for Kashmiris.
The PPP leader laid out his vision for Kashmir's political representation within Pakistan, advocating for observer status in national institutions. He also called for a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to address ongoing protests, urging both protestors and the government to engage in dialogue while criticizing the shutdown of services affecting ordinary citizens.
Bilawal concluded with a focus on the upcoming election, rallying support by questioning the federal government's stance on Kashmir and asserting the PPP's commitment to the region's autonomy and future.