Islamabad: Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said he wants to become the Prime Minister of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), expressing his desire to personally oversee the region’s development ahead of the upcoming elections.
Addressing an election rally in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan occupied Kashmir, Sharif described the region as his “second home” and said his ancestors had migrated from Kashmir. He added that if the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) wins the elections, he would ask Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to appoint him as the head of the regional government so he could directly supervise development initiatives.
The statement comes at a time when Pakistan occupied Kashmir continues to witness widespread unrest, with anti government protests and clashes reported from several major towns, including Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Mirpur and Sudhnoti.
The protests are being led by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee, which has been demanding subsidised wheat, lower electricity tariffs, royalty from regional hydroelectric projects and an end to the special privileges and allowances enjoyed by government officials and political leaders.
Pakistan occupied Kashmir is scheduled to hold elections between July 27 and August 10, with the PML-N contesting against the Pakistan People’s Party, its ally in Pakistan’s federal government.
The region has remained tense following weeks of demonstrations and a security crackdown. The unrest has reportedly claimed around 30 lives so far.
Although the protest group had earlier suspended its planned march to Muzaffarabad, describing it as a final opportunity for the Pakistani government to address its demands, it has since announced the resumption of a large scale protest. The organisation has also said that sit in demonstrations across the region will continue until its demands are met.
The renewed political activity and continuing public agitation have made the upcoming elections one of the most closely watched in Pakistan occupied Kashmir in recent years.
