MUZAFFARABAD (Muhammad Aslam Mir) - Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore has alleged that the PML-N leadership in AJK pushed for elections and government formation in haste for political power, despite the PPP’s position that peace should first be restored in the region.
Speaking to a delegation of the All Kashmir Newspapers Society, led by its president Sardar Zahid Tabassum, in Islamabad, Rathore said the new AJK government’s biggest challenge was addressing the situation arising from the Joint Awami Action Committee’s movement, adding that negotiations were the only viable solution.
He said the Truth Commission proposed by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari could provide all stakeholders with a way out of the current crisis.
Discussing the Haveli election, Rathore said the results had been unnecessarily made controversial, claiming that the 2026 elections were among the most peaceful in the district’s history.
He recalled that Haveli had witnessed prolonged unrest following the 2011 elections, including the burning of shops and damage to property. He said the 2016 elections also witnessed casualties and unrest, while tensions were reported during the 2021 polls as well. By comparison, he said, the 2026 elections remained largely peaceful.
Rathore said he had not interfered in the electoral process in his capacity as prime minister. Responding to rigging allegations by PML-N candidate Chaudhry Mohsin Aziz, he said the PPP would respond through every constitutional and legal forum.
He added that candidates with complaints regarding electoral irregularities could approach election tribunals and other constitutional and legal forums with evidence.
The AJK prime minister reiterated the PPP’s position that it had not been provided a level playing field and alleged that various tactics were used to ensure the PML-N’s success.
He claimed that in several constituencies, including Nakyal, Sehnsa, Khoi Ratta, Charrhoi, Muzaffarabad’s Kotla and Khawra, where the PPP had initially won, the results were subsequently changed in favour of its opponents.
Rathore said the central leaderships of the PPP and PML-N had held several meetings over electoral issues, with the PML-N also assuring the PPP that its election-related complaints would be addressed.
He expressed regret that the PML-N’s AJK leadership had insisted on holding elections quickly to form a government, reiterating that the PPP had advocated restoring peace before conducting polls.
Reviewing his government’s performance over nearly eight months, Rathore said it had taken practical measures in governance, education, healthcare, infrastructure and digital services despite limited time and difficult financial circumstances.
He said around Rs7 billion had been allocated for the Out-of-School Children Programme, while efforts were also underway to restore the education and healthcare systems.
According to Rathore, projects for major hospitals and a medical college had been advanced, while several infrastructure and public-facility projects had also been initiated.
On digital connectivity, he said an optical-fibre project had been approved for AJK, while policy measures had been taken regarding trials of 5G technology. The government was also focusing on expanding IT and digital opportunities for young people, promoting tourism, developing energy and infrastructure projects and reforming public institutions.
Rathore said austerity measures had been introduced to ensure effective use of government resources, including a decision to reduce fuel expenditure on official vehicles.
He maintained that despite the government’s limited tenure and difficult financial conditions, development activities had continued and several initiatives had been taken to address public grievances.