IPP chief promises transparent governance, road projects in AJK if voted to power

ISLAMABAD: Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) President Abdul Aleem Khan on Friday promised a corruption-free government and a series of major infrastructure projects in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) if his party wins the region’s elections scheduled for July 27.

Speaking at a news conference alongside former AJK prime minister Tanveer Ilyas and other politicians who joined the IPP the other day, Khan criticised parties that have previously governed the region, saying they had failed to deliver on their election promises and left AJK underdeveloped.

He said that his party would prioritise investment in roads, highways and tourism infrastructure, describing improved connectivity as key to the region’s economic growth.

He said the IPP would extend the Murree Expressway to Muzaffarabad and link it with Mansehra, while also constructing an all-weather expressway from Naran to the Chinese border as an alternative to the Karakoram Highway.

The proposed route, he said, would remain operational throughout the year and shorten travel by about 150 kilometres.

Khan, who also holds the portfolio of communications minister, said the projects would improve tourism and create employment opportunities for local residents.

He also pledged transparent governance, saying he would take personal responsibility if corruption occurred under an IPP-led government.

“If our party forms the AJK government, no one will be allowed to engage in corruption,” he said.

Talking about his partying ways with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the IPP chief said that he left the party on principle after what he described as unfair treatment by its leadership.

He alleged that politically motivated cases were registered against members of his family as well as the daughter of IPP leader Jahangir Tareen, adding that he would have remained in the PTI had relations not deteriorated.

Rejecting allegations that the IPP had expanded by encouraging defections from other parties, Khan pointed to the party’s performance in the Gilgit-Baltistan elections, saying it had secured strong electoral support on its own.

He said the outcome of the upcoming AJK election would ultimately be decided by the people of the region and its local leadership.

The election for the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly is scheduled for July 27.