PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Wednesday said the upcoming election in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) was perhaps the “most significant” in the region’s history, saying its future was tied to the outcome.

Addressing a rally in Mirpur, the PPP chairman said, “I do not consider this election campaign and these elections to be ordinary. Perhaps, this is the most significant election in the history of AJK.”

“The decisions you make in this election will determine the future of Azad Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.

Bilawal said former prime ministers and PPP leaders — Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto — along with President Asif Ali Zardari, had made history by securing the constitutional rights of AJK, adding that it was now his turn to leave his mark on history.

“I want history to remember that Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and the PPP gave the people of AJK the right to self-governance, the right to employment and the right to determine their own future.”

The PPP scion added that he had promised the people of Gilgit-Baltistan the right to self-governance, the right to employment and greater self-rule, and had won the election on that manifesto.

Referring to AJK, the PPP chairman said he had brought the same manifesto to the region.

In simpler terms, he said he wanted the people of Kashmir to enjoy the same rights as those available to the people of Pakistan in other regions.

“We have been struggling for the right to self-government for AJK globally for three generations; now, we have to advance this struggle for self-government within Pakistan,” he stated.

He stressed that he would ensure the right to self-government for AJK while also defending its narrative at international forums.

“It is 100 per cent possible that we give rights to the people of AJK and also continue their struggle for freedom and advocate their case at international forums,” Bilawal said.

Bilawal said the PPP was the only party that sought justice for the 12 refugee seats.

“When rigging occurs on those 12 seats and people think that they have those seats in their pockets, they do injustice to you.”

He further stated that he did not agree with those who argued against refugee representation or giving voting rights to refugees, adding: “I say give the vote to refugees, give them representation, but Punjab or Sindh will not decide for Kashmir; only Kashmir will decide for Kashmir.”

He vowed that if the people of AJK gave the PPP a two-thirds majority in the upcoming election, the party would bring an amendment to the AJK Constitution to ensure justice for both the people of AJK and refugees.

“Is it not possible that we retain AJK’s status as a state and keep its own prime minister, but ensure that AJK’s voice reaches Islamabad?” Bilawal said.

The PPP chairman said AJK should have representation in Pakistan’s decision-making bodies on an observer or provisional basis so that it could raise its issues there.

“Instead of protesting on roads, you should raise your concerns in the Centre; this is my manifesto.”

He also recalled that he had proposed the formation of a truth and reconciliation commission to resolve the ongoing issues in AJK. “Neither the government nor the protesters have responded to this proposal yet. In our opinion, this is the only solution to this problem.”

Commenting on the suspension of internet services in AJK amid the protests, Bilawal said it was “oppressive”.

Moreover, he said he had instructed the AJK PPP president to write a letter to the AJK Election Commission, questioning the transparency of the elections, as political parties were unable to run campaigns on social media, and urging the federal government to restore internet services.

The AJK Election Commission had announced that general elections in the region would be held on July 27. The elections would be held in three phases, ending on August 10.