Election Commission Must Ensure Free, Fair and Transparent Elections in Azad Kashmir; Concrete Steps Should Be Taken for an Early Resolution of the Kashmir Issue
Lahore: Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Lahore Ziauddin Ansari Advocate has said that the upcoming elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir are of great significance and that Jamaat-e-Islami will surprise the ruling parties through the power of the people. He urged the Election Commission of Pakistan to ensure that the elections in Azad Kashmir are conducted in a free, fair, transparent and impartial manner so that the people’s mandate is fully respected.He expressed these views while addressing a press conference at Syed Maududi Islamic Centre, alongside Raja Muhammad Suhail, candidate for the Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly. Also present on the occasion were Khalid Ahmad Butt, In-charge of the AJK Election Campaign, Abdul Aziz Abid, Supervisor of Jammu Constituency LA-34, and Ghulam Hassan Baloch.Ziauddin Ansari said that the 12 seats being contested in the upcoming elections carry immense political importance. He warned that if any attempt was made to manipulate the elections or steal the public mandate, the entire leadership of Jamaat-e-Islami would stand firmly with the people of Kashmir and defend their democratic rights through every constitutional and democratic means.He expressed confidence that under the leadership of Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman, Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, the party would deliver an impressive performance in the Azad Kashmir elections and surprise its political opponents.Referring to Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, he questioned why he was seeking permission to end the lockdown in Azad Kashmir when his own party was already in power there.Ziauddin Ansari further stated that the attitude of the ruling elite and the establishment had strengthened separatist sentiments in Kashmir, calling the situation deeply alarming and requiring immediate attention.Speaking on the occasion, Raja Muhammad Suhail, candidate for the Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly, said that the people of Jammu continue to suffer from a lack of basic necessities, including access to clean drinking water, while parties that have repeatedly remained in power have failed to provide essential public services.He said that representatives elected on reserved seats often lose contact with the public, whereas the people of Kashmir continue to demonstrate their unwavering attachment to Pakistan despite immense hardships.Raja Muhammad Suhail called for effective measures to resolve the Kashmir dispute at the earliest, an end to the unjust treatment of the Kashmiri people, and the protection of their fundamental democratic and human rights.He pledged that, if elected, he would dedicate himself to serving the people of Kashmir, addressing their problems, and working for the development and prosperity of the region.
