MIRPUR (Dunya News) - Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Friday announced a package of development commitments for Mirpur, including 10 electric buses and a pledge to establish an international airport if her party succeeds in the region.
Addressing an election rally in Mirpur, Maryam Nawaz said she was pleased to announce the gift of 10 electric buses for the city and promised to support the construction of an international airport to improve connectivity.
She said she proudly regarded herself as the "daughter of Kashmir", recalling that she had made a similar statement during a visit to Muzaffarabad. She added that her grandparents on both sides of the family were Kashmiris, and therefore she considered herself emotionally and spiritually connected to Kashmir.
The Punjab chief minister expressed concern over the condition of roads in Mirpur, saying it was disappointing to see deteriorating infrastructure despite the sacrifices and contributions of the Kashmiri people to Pakistan.
Maryam Nawaz said former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had pledged to establish an international airport in Mirpur, adding that he had a record of fulfilling commitments made to the public.
She also said Azad Kashmir needed more development projects, including modern public transport, improved healthcare facilities, free home delivery of medicines, ration cards and social welfare initiatives similar to those introduced in Punjab.
Without naming any political rival, Maryam Nawaz criticised opposition leaders, saying some politicians claimed credit when seeking power but shifted responsibility to the federal government when it came to resolving public issues.
She further claimed that many of the roads currently used by residents had been constructed during Nawaz Sharif's tenure and asserted that his governments had played a major role in the region's development.
Maryam Nawaz concluded by saying that if the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) wins the elections, it will introduce modern transport, healthcare and welfare programmes across Azad Kashmir, while delivering 10 electric buses for the people of Mirpur.