MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Faisal Mumtaz Rathore has said that he will repay the “debt of love” to Muzaffarabad by prioritising development projects and ensuring the implementation of the public rights agreement.
Addressing a grand reception ceremony organised by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) central leader and former Legislative Assembly candidate Sardar Mukhtar Ahmed Abbasi, the Prime Minister reaffirmed that love for Pakistan lives in the hearts of the people of Azad Kashmir, stating, “We are Pakistanis, and Pakistan is ours.”
The Prime Minister announced a comprehensive development agenda for Muzaffarabad, including the upgradation and expansion of CMH Muzaffarabad, improvement of the electricity system, construction of the Lohar Gali Bypass Tunnel, Syedan-Manik Pian Road, Rashidabad-Ambor Bypass, Chehla Bypass, and several water supply schemes, including Gojra Darra Batangi and Daulat Colony.
He also announced plans for the establishment of a Town Committee and BHU in Barrakot, a Girls Degree College in Barrakot, repair or reconstruction of the Chehla Bridge, provision of land for Sandgali cemetery, immediate implementation of the Solid Waste Management Project, construction of a walkway from Plate to Allama Iqbal Bridge, upgradation of Naluchi Ground and educational institutions, and fulfillment of the needs of the Cardiac Hospital Muzaffarabad.
The Prime Minister said the CMH flyover would be completed soon and that a meeting of all relevant departments would be convened within two days to discuss the beautification of the capital. He added that during his upcoming meeting with the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, his first demand would be the establishment of a Danish School in Muzaffarabad.
Earlier, Prime Minister Rathore was given a warm welcome and taken to the venue in the form of a large rally from Ghari Pan Chowk, which later turned into a massive public gathering.
Speaking on the occasion, he said Muzaffarabad had a historic relationship with the PPP, recalling that his father, former Prime Minister Mumtaz Hussain Rathore, chose Muzaffarabad over Haveli despite winning from both constituencies. He said the huge gathering proved that Muzaffarabad remains a stronghold of the PPP.
The Prime Minister expressed confidence that the PPP would return to power with a strong mandate in 2026, stating that the implementation of the Public Rights Agreement remains the government’s top priority. He said PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has assured full support for resolving issues of Azad Kashmir at the federal level.
The ceremony was attended by Senior Minister Mian Abdul Waheed, ministers Sardar Javed Ayub, Syed Bazil Ali Naqvi, Chaudhry Qasim Majeed, Sardar Zia Qamar, Chaudhry Muhammad Rashid, MLA Taqdis Gilani, Advisor Ahmed Sagheer, PPP leader Mubashir Munir Awan, and other party officials.
