MUZAFFARABAD: A ruling PML-N lawmaker in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Wednesday stressed the need for setting aside political and personal differences to address the challenges facing Pakistan through national unity, prudent policy-making and institutional cooperation.
Talking to a group of journalists here, Sehrish Qamar stressed that peace, stability and economic development were a shared responsibility, while political leadership and state institutions needed to prioritise national interest, constitutional supremacy and public welfare.
Ms Qamar, who has been elected to a reserved seat for women for the second time, maintained that differences of opinion should remain part of democratic discourse, but national interests required collective efforts.
“Pakistan’s strength is not the success of any individual, party or institution, but the collective success of 250 million people,” she said.
She said the country needed to move beyond personality-driven politics and focus on strengthening institutions, upholding the Constitution and addressing issues affecting ordinary citizens.
“Today, Pakistan needs unity instead of division, dialogue instead of confrontation, and hope instead of despair,” she said.
Ms Qamar said former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had played his political role in the country’s development, democratic process and resolution of public issues. She also acknowledged the constitutional responsibilities of institutions entrusted with national defence and security.
She stressed the need to ensure economic stability, improve prospects for young people and provide basic services to citizens. On Kashmir, Ms Qamar said the issue remained a national priority for Pakistan and that the country continued to extend political, diplomatic and moral support to the Kashmiri people in their pursuit of the right to self-determination.
She said people in AJK also needed greater opportunities in employment, education, healthcare, infrastructure and economic activity. Referring to the newly formed PML-N government in AJK, she said it would take practical measures to improve living standards and create better employment opportunities for young people.
She called for joint efforts by political leaders, state institutions, the media, civil society and citizens to build a peaceful, democratic and economically stable country.
“We must work together to build a Pakistan that is strong, peaceful, democratic and economically stable, where differences are resolved through dialogue and national interests remain above petty individual and political considerations,” she said.
Published in Dawn, September 13th, 2026
