Nawaz, Maryam to address rally in AJK today

MUZAFFARABAD: PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif will address his party’s public meeting in Muzaffarabad on Tuesday.

In a video message issued on Monday, PML-N AJK president Shah Ghulam Qadir said Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz would address the rally at Khurshid Hasan Khurshid Stadium in Muzaffarabad and all arrangements for Sharif’s visit had been completed.

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Inter-Provincial Coordination Senator Rana Sanaullah and Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Amir Muqam, along with other party leaders, had already arrived in Muzaffarabad to oversee preparations.

On Monday, Rana Sanaullah, accompanied by PML-N candidate Barrister Iftikhar Gillani, visited the city’s main markets and interacted with traders and voters as part of the party’s election campaign.

Qadir appealed to party candidates, leaders, local government representatives and workers from across AJK to attend the rally. He said the PML-N had always prioritised public service in AJK and would seek a fresh mandate on the strength of its performance. He also maintained that the party leadership had consistently stood by the people of Kashmir in difficult times.

The Muzaffarabad rally is scheduled to begin at 4pm. Security has been tightened across the AJK capital.

Meanwhile, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari is scheduled to address an election rally in Nakyal in support of the party’s candidate and incumbent Food Minister Javed Iqbal Budhanvi. He will face PML-N candidate Sardar Umair Naeem.

Bhutto-Zardari launched his election campaign in AJK with an unscheduled three-day visit to Muzaffarabad last week, during which he held meetings with party leaders at a local hotel here.

He addressed public rallies in Dadyal on July 17 and Kotli city on July 19 and is scheduled to address two more rallies after Tuesday — in Mirpur on July 23 and Muzaffarabad on July 24. Sharif is also expected to address another election rally in Mirpur later this week.

Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2026 ...