Report: ANI :
*LEEPA VALLEY –Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Azad Kashmir Central Deputy Secretary Information and former government spokesperson Shaukat Javed Mir has called for national consensus among parliamentary leaders of all political parties to elect PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari as Prime Minister, saying his leadership and diplomatic capabilities could help Pakistan navigate rapidly changing global circumstances.
Addressing a luncheon hosted by University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir student leader Muqaddas Iqbal Khawaja, Mir said Bilawal Bhutto had played an important diplomatic role in projecting Pakistan's positive image internationally and highlighting the right to self-determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
He said the Bhutto family, including PPP founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, had made lasting sacrifices for democracy, constitutional supremacy, national unity, a strong federation and the Kashmir freedom movement.
Criticizing the performance of the incumbent Azad Kashmir government, Mir alleged that politically motivated transfers, favouritism, violations of merit and administrative mismanagement had affected the functioning of government institutions. He said the promised 100-day reform programme had so far failed to meet public expectations.
He maintained that despite serious reservations about the government's performance, the PPP believed in constitutional continuity and supported Prime Minister Barrister Iftikhar Gilani in fulfilling his constitutional responsibilities.
Mir also expressed concern over the non-payment of compensation to families affected by a fire at Mullah Chowk in Nokot village, despite the passage of a month.
Speaking to the media, he highlighted the initiatives taken by the previous PPP government under former Prime Minister Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, including an education package, financial support for Kashmir Bank, regularization of more than 6,000 ad hoc employees, implementation of the Third Party Act and promotions of junior government employees.
He said the PPP would participate actively in the upcoming local government elections and expressed confidence that its nominated candidates would secure victories across district, local, town committee and municipal corporation levels.
Mir said the PPP remained united and organized under Bilawal Bhutto's leadership.
He also questioned the cancellation of the Danish School project in Leepa Valley, demanding accountability for the decision. He urged the Azad Kashmir government to announce a comprehensive development package to accelerate infrastructure development and improve public facilities in the region.
