Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) President Abdul Aleem Khan on Sunday urged the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), particularly young voters, to cast their ballots responsibly and place national interest above all other considerations in the upcoming elections.
In a video message, he urged voters to exercise their franchise with the utmost sense of responsibility and civic awareness, prioritising national interest.
Emphasising the broader impact of the ballot, he noted that elections are not merely about changing governments, but about shaping the destiny of future generations and ensuring regional prosperity.
Abdul Aleem Khan highlighted that sustainable progress and economic stability in AJK depend heavily on developing robust local revenue streams. He stressed that until AJK’s local economy becomes self-reliant, efforts to raise personal incomes, execute large-scale development projects, and realise public welfare goals will remain unfulfilled.
Calling for new investment, he urged the government to foster a business-friendly environment in which local and foreign investors can operate with complete confidence, thereby expanding commercial activity and driving long-term economic growth.
Investment, he added, will not only strengthen the regional economy but also generate significant employment opportunities for unemployed youth, particularly educated young men and women.
Underscoring AJK’s vast natural potential, the IPP president remarked that AJK’s breathtaking landscape, scenic valleys, and world-class tourist spots make it an ideal engine for regional growth.
Modernising the tourism sector, upgrading basic infrastructure, and incentivising private investment would significantly boost local revenues while creating thousands of direct and indirect jobs.
Reminding citizens that elections every five years offer a crucial opportunity to redefine their trajectory, Abdul Aleem Khan urged voters to assess candidates based on their track record rather than rhetoric or partisan loyalty.
He called on the public to reject politicians who make grand pre-election promises only to ignore public grievances once in power, advising them instead to place their trust in proven performance and honest leadership.
Directly addressing the youth of Azad Kashmir, the IPP president encouraged them to look beyond simply casting their own votes. He urged them to actively guide their parents, elders, and family members to the polling stations with a shared vision.
“Voting is not just about an individual; it is about the future of your family, your region, and Azad Kashmir as a whole,” he remarked, tasking the youth with raising political awareness within their communities.
He concluded by calling on voters to critically evaluate past performance, unfulfilled commitments, and persistent issues before making their choice.
“The people of Azad Kashmir have a defining opportunity to choose a better future — one that leads to a prosperous, resilient, and stable region,” he stated, reaffirming the IPP’s unwavering commitment to public service, economic stability, transparent governance, youth employment, and all-round development across AJK.
