MIRPUR, AJK: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has strongly criticized Defence Minister Khawaja Asif over his recent remarks concerning Rawalakot and Mirpur, demanding that the minister either apologize publicly or resign from his position. Bilawal also criticized Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz, alleging that their silence over the controversy suggests support for the minister’s statement.
Addressing a large public gathering in LA-3 Mirpur City as part of the election campaign for the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections, Bilawal said the federal government’s attitude toward Kashmir was deeply disappointing and accused the ruling party of failing to respect the sentiments and identity of the Kashmiri people.
Bilawal said that no federal minister had the authority to decide whether Mirpur or Rawalakot should be regarded as part of Kashmir. He maintained that such statements were offensive to the people of Azad Kashmir and called on the defence minister to immediately retract his remarks.
“My demand is simple,” Bilawal told supporters. “The defence minister should either apologize to the people of Kashmir or step down from his office. Who are you to decide whether Mirpur and Rawalakot are part of Kashmir? Kashmir belongs to its people, and no one has the right to question their identity.”
The PPP chairman argued that the controversy had exposed what he described as the federal government’s lack of understanding regarding the Kashmir issue. According to him, the statement had hurt the sentiments of Kashmiris and required a clear response from the country’s top political leadership.
Bilawal also targeted PML-N President Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, saying neither leader had publicly distanced themselves from Khawaja Asif’s remarks despite addressing political gatherings following the controversy.
“Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz had the opportunity to condemn their minister’s statement, but they chose not to do so,” Bilawal said. “Their silence gives the impression that they stand with their minister and support what he said.”
He added that the absence of any clarification from the PML-N leadership strengthened the perception that the controversial remarks reflected the party’s broader position rather than being an individual opinion.
During his address, Bilawal also criticized the ruling party’s development record, arguing that it had failed to deliver meaningful progress even in areas under its direct political control.
“These leaders speak as if they have never held power before,” he remarked. “Their father has served as prime minister, their uncle has served as prime minister, and they have governed Punjab for years. If they could not transform cities like Kasur into Lahore despite decades in power, how can they claim they will bring prosperity to Gilgit-Baltistan or other regions?”
The PPP chairman accused the PML-N leadership of making promises during election campaigns that it later failed to fulfill.
“They come before elections asking for your support and making grand promises,” Bilawal told the audience. “Once elections are over, they forget the people who voted for them.”
Using strong political rhetoric, Bilawal said the PML-N’s election symbol, the lion, represented a leadership that “consumes rights instead of protecting them.”
“These are lions that do not give people their rights—they devour them,” he said, drawing applause from party supporters.
Bilawal urged voters in Azad Kashmir to reject what he described as divisive politics and instead support the Pakistan Peoples Party, which he said had consistently defended the rights and identity of Kashmiris.
He maintained that PPP had always stood with the people of Kashmir on issues concerning their constitutional rights, political identity, and democratic representation.
The speech formed part of the PPP’s campaign ahead of the upcoming AJK elections, where political parties have intensified public rallies across the region. Kashmir-related issues, governance, development, and federal-provincial relations have emerged as central themes of the campaign.
Bilawal concluded his address by calling on voters to make their decision based on performance rather than political slogans, insisting that respect for the people of Kashmir should remain above partisan politics. He reiterated that public office holders must be held accountable for statements that affect national unity and the sentiments of the Kashmiri people.
About The Author
