Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif formally launched his party’s election campaign for the upcoming Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections, promising sweeping development initiatives and stronger engagement with the region if the party forms the next government. Addressing a large public gathering in Muzaffarabad alongside Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the former prime minister described AJK as his “second home” and pledged to personally oversee development projects.
During his speech, Nawaz made a light-hearted remark that drew widespread attention, joking that if the PML-N won the elections, he would ask Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to appoint him as the prime minister of AJK so he could directly supervise the region’s progress. While delivered humorously, the comment underscored his commitment to remaining actively involved in AJK’s future development.
Nawaz also announced that he would visit Azad Kashmir every three months to review development work if the PML-N came to power. He questioned why major infrastructure projects, including a motorway linking Kohala and Muzaffarabad, had not yet been completed and said AJK deserved the same level of investment and modern infrastructure as Punjab and other parts of Pakistan.
A major part of his address focused on economic development. Nawaz pledged to increase the AJK development budget tenfold if the PML-N secured victory, recalling that his previous government had doubled the region’s budget during his tenure as Pakistan’s prime minister. He also promised new infrastructure projects, expanded public services and greater investment in education, healthcare and transport. Among the announced initiatives were the delivery of ten electric air-conditioned buses for Muzaffarabad and fifteen mobile hospitals to improve healthcare access across the region.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also addressed the rally, saying she considered herself deeply connected to Kashmir through her family roots. She pledged to extend several Punjab government welfare programmes to AJK, including youth scholarships, laptop distribution, housing schemes and sanitation initiatives. Maryam announced 2,000 scholarships and laptops for students, saying the PML-N wanted to create better educational opportunities for Kashmiri youth.
The rally marks the beginning of an intensive campaign ahead of the phased AJK elections starting on July 27. With development, governance and public welfare emerging as central campaign themes, the PML-N is positioning itself as a party focused on infrastructure, economic growth and improved public services. As campaigning enters its final stage, the election is expected to be closely watched, with competing parties presenting contrasting visions for the future of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
