Nawaz Sharif calls for better governance in AJK
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif has urged political parties to keep their differences within the bounds of democratic competition, saying political rivalry should never turn into personal hostility.
Addressing a meeting of the PML-N Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) parliamentary party in Murree, Nawaz congratulated the candidates who won seats in the AJK elections and called for greater financial support for the region.
He said the federal government should provide AJK with maximum possible development funds so that the territory can improve its infrastructure and public services. He also directed the party leadership to examine the reasons behind the defeat of several strong PML-N candidates and learn from the election results.
Nawaz said the party had secured victories in two phases of the electoral process, describing the results as another expression of public confidence in the PML-N. However, he cautioned that the party must deliver on its promises to retain that trust.
“If the PML-N fails to deliver, the people here will become disappointed,” he said.
The former prime minister stressed the need to improve roads, hospitals and other basic facilities across AJK. He said children in the region should also have access to modern educational opportunities and technology, including laptops.
Nawaz credited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s efforts for the country’s ongoing development, saying Pakistan was moving forward. He called for AJK to experience similar progress and said the region should develop along the lines of Punjab.
He stressed that the PML-N could not afford to disappoint voters who had placed their confidence in the party.
Nawaz also expressed concern over complaints that emerged during the political process involving the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). He said he had not expected the PPP to provide an opportunity for complaints, particularly given that the party had previously led the AJK government.
“Some complaints reached us, and I was saddened by them,” Nawaz said, while emphasising the need for political parties to maintain respectful relations despite their differences.
He said previous AJK governments had failed to fully meet public expectations and stressed that improving the welfare and living standards of the region’s people should remain the top priority.
Nawaz maintained that the PML-N would continue to focus on development and public service while working to strengthen its political position in AJK.
