MIRPUR — Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced 10 electric buses and an international airport for Mirpur city during an AJK election rally, unveiling a development-focused vision for modern transport and connectivity in the region.
Addressing a public gathering in Mirpur during her election campaign, Maryam Nawaz said she had proudly called herself the “daughter of Kashmir” during her visit to Muzaffarabad, a statement that drew criticism from some quarters. She responded by saying that her paternal and maternal grandparents were all from Kashmir, and so she considers herself Kashmiri “by heart and soul.”
Expressing concern over the condition of roads in Mirpur, the Punjab chief minister said she was saddened to see the state of infrastructure and stressed that Kashmiris had always played a vital role in Pakistan’s progress. “Now is the time to light the lamps of development and prosperity in Mirpur,” she said, highlighting the need for modern infrastructure and public facilities in the region.
CM Maryam said Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif had promised to build an international airport in Mirpur, adding that he has a record of fulfilling commitments made to the people. She said the development gap in Azad Kashmir could be addressed through projects such as modern transport systems, Orange Line and Green Bus services, advanced healthcare facilities, free doorstep medicine delivery, ration cards, and welfare initiatives like the Himmat Card.
She claimed that only leadership with a proven record of public service could bring such projects to the region, recalling that Nawaz Sharif’s government had also played a role in making Pakistan a nuclear power.
Maryam further claimed that Nawaz Sharif and his governments faced multiple political challenges and conspiracies but remained active due to public support. According to her, removing Nawaz Sharif’s development projects would leave very limited development work in Azad Kashmir.
Without directly naming Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Maryam Nawaz criticized political rivals, saying that many leaders take credit when governments are formed but shift responsibility to the federal government when it comes to addressing public issues. She said many of the roads used by people traveling to attend the rally were also constructed during Nawaz Sharif’s governments.
Nawaz jokes about becoming AJK PM, unveils development vision
