Abdul Aleem Khan unveils Azad Kashmir development roadmap as IPP expands support

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Communications and Empowerment, President of Pakistan Party (IPP), Abdul Aleem Khan, has outlined an ambitious development agenda for Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), saying that his party aims to prioritise education, transparent governance and infrastructure development while expanding its political presence in the region.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Abdul Aleem Khan said that the party’s focus goes beyond electoral politics and is focused on bringing practical improvements in the daily lives of the people. He said that quality education, better public services and accountable governance will remain the foundation of IPP’s vision for Azad Kashmir.

The IPP president said that if the party gets the public mandate, improving educational opportunities for children in Azad Kashmir will be among the top priorities of the government. He added that investment in education and human capital is essential for long-term economic and social development.

Addressing the governance, Abdul Aleem Khan stressed that transparency and merit should guide every government institution. He said that governments should earn the trust of the people through performance rather than promises, adding that accountability mechanisms should remain effective regardless of political considerations. He also stressed that no kind of corruption would be tolerated in the IPP-led administration.

Referring to the political environment of the country, the minister of communications stressed democratic maturity among all stakeholders. He urged political parties to respect the election results and avoid creating unnecessary political polarisation, saying that democratic institutions are strengthened when election results are accepted peacefully.

Without directly naming the rival parties, Abdul Aleem Khan questioned the development record of the previous administration, saying that despite repeated changes in government, many areas faced infrastructure and public service challenges. He said that political leadership should ultimately be judged by its ability to improve the quality of life of citizens.

Highlighting the federal government’s infrastructure strategy, the minister said that several major road and motorway projects are underway across Pakistan. He said that highway development is underway in Gilgit-Baltistan, while work on the Sukkur-Karachi Motorway is expected to begin this year to strengthen logistics and improve connectivity with the country’s ports.

He added that the expansion of the Lahore-Sialkot Motorway and the construction of the Lahore-Khariyan-Islamabad Motorway corridor will significantly improve travel between major cities. According to the minister, the project to extend the Islamabad-Murree Motorway to Muzaffarabad and enhance road connectivity between Muzaffarabad and Mansehra will improve mobility, tourism and economic activities in Azad Kashmir.

Praising Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Abdul Aleem Khan said that the government has continued with development projects despite economic challenges. He added that the Ministry of Communications is committed to modernising Pakistan’s transport network to support national development and regional integration.

The minister encouraged young Pakistanis to focus on education, professional skills and innovation, describing the country’s youth as the driving force behind future economic growth.

The event also saw the announcement of several political leaders and local representatives from different constituencies of Azad Kashmir to join the Istiqam Pakistan Party. Former Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Tanveer Ilyas led another group of political figures in the party, which IPP leaders described as growing organisational momentum ahead of future electoral contests.

Party officials welcomed the new inductees, expressing confidence that the expansion of the party’s support base would strengthen its organisational structure and contribute to its political strategy in Azad Kashmir.