NEELUM: Prime Minister of Azad Jammu & Kashmir Faisal Mumtaz Rathore has said that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is the party of martyrs, and no other political party has offered such sacrifices for the country and democracy. He said PPP’s connection with Kashmir is historically the strongest, and the slogan given by Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari represents the collective voice of the party.
Addressing the PPP Foundation Day ceremony in Kail, the Prime Minister said that the political situation of the region was in full view of the people, and taking over the government in an atmosphere of mistrust was extremely difficult. However, he said, his party accepted this responsibility in the broader interest of Azad Kashmir. He expressed confidence that the government, despite its short tenure, would deliver through performance and win the 2026 elections.
PM Rathore said PPP began its political journey in AJK with just 13 seats and had now succeeded in forming a strong government. He added that PPP had always served the public in difficult circumstances and that the current AJK government enjoyed full support of the party’s central leadership and the federal government.
The Prime Minister paid tribute to the armed forces deployed in harsh winter conditions to protect the nation. He also commended the people living along the Line of Control for standing shoulder to shoulder with the Pakistan Army in defending the homeland. He congratulated the LOC residents for their resilience.
During his address, PM Rathore announced several development initiatives for Neelum Valley. These included the upgradation of Kail Inter College as an Associate College, establishment of a middle school in Kail Bagnawan, establishment of a middle school in Shounter, resolution of staff issues in local educational institutions, construction of a 15-kilometre road in Shounter, preparation of a PC-1 for the sewage system of Arang Kail, upgrading of Boys High School Phulawai to Higher Secondary School, upgrading of Boys Middle School Taobat to High School, and the construction of a five-kilometre road from Phulawai to Taobat.
He said that new programmes focused on youth employment would also be launched soon and thanked the people of Neelum for their warm welcome. Despite freezing weather, PPP workers gathered in large numbers and listened to Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s Foundation Day address through video link.
At Kail Rest House, delegations from various areas met the Prime Minister and informed him about local issues. Most Senior Minister Mian Abdul Waheed and Minister Sardar Javed Ayub accompanied the Prime Minister during the visit. PM Rathore thanked workers from Union Councils Kail, Sargan, and Grace for attending the event and said PPP had taken over the government to protect the political system of Azad Kashmir despite limited resources and numerous challenges.
Most Senior Minister Mian Abdul Waheed expressed gratitude to the workers of Union Councils Sharda and Dudhniyal for the grand welcome given to the Prime Minister. He said the people had placed great expectations on the PPP government and expressed confidence that the Prime Minister and his team would follow the legacy of his late father in serving the public.
