ISLAMABAD : Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has described the ruling alliance between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) as a “forced alliance,” saying both parties are united primarily by their shared desire to remain in power.
In an interview with ARY News, Asif acknowledged that the coalition has limited options rather than a wide range of choices. “We both want to stay in power,” he stated candidly.
The defense minister also weighed in on the political situation in Azad Kashmir, criticizing the PPP’s performance in the region. “The PPP bears the most responsibility in Azad Kashmir. I think the PPP has failed in Azad Kashmir,” he said, adding that calling Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to Azad Kashmir amounted to an open admission of that failure. He further noted that the PPP itself had wanted to postpone the Azad Kashmir elections.
On the issue of refugee seats in Azad Kashmir, Asif advocated for resolution through democratic means. “The democratic way is to resolve the issue of refugee seats in Azad Kashmir after the elections. The issue can be resolved by getting it settled in the new assembly,” he said. He suggested continuing with the one-man-one-vote tradition while improving it to address public concerns, noting that where direct elections have been held, pressure and undue influence have been more prevalent.
Addressing the broader Kashmir cause, Asif emphasized that the honor of the movement should not be insulted. While expressing respect for PPP leadership, he questioned what the party’s government in Azad Kashmir was doing to address the region’s conditions.
Regarding sacrifices, Asif said it was not right to categorize someone’s contributions, adding that those who migrated from India and sacrificed their families to settle in Punjab were more important than him.
