MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas will address a big public meeting at the district headquarters of Bagh on Monday (today) in what the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) claimed will be its grand power show in the area.

It would be Mr Ilyas’ first formal public appearance in Bagh district after assuming the office of prime minister some four-and-a-half months ago.

Mr Ilyas originally hails from Bangoin village of Poonch district which falls in LA-22, from where his paternal uncle Sardar Saghir Chughtai had returned in 2016 polls on the ticket of Muslim Conference. Shortly before the 2021 polls, Mr Chughtai had joined PTI at the hands of his nephew to be its nominee from the same constituency. However, due to his sudden death the PTI ticket was awarded to his widow Shahida Saghir who clinched a smooth victory in elections.

As the native constituency was already being represented by a family member, Mr Ilyas decided to enter the fray from LA-15 in the neighbouring Bagh district from where he defeated his close rivals from the PPP and PML-N by more than 5,000 and 8,500 votes, respectively.

Mr Ilyas, who became the prime minister on April 18 this year following a dramatic turn of events, had been unable to visit his constituency ever since, “due to his pressing engagements in Muzaffarabad and Islamabad,” his media team said.

“Actually, the visit to his constituency got delayed for different unavoidable reasons. In the meantime, the prime minister wanted to take some solid steps for the betterment of the state and its people before formally addressing to and interacting with his electorate,” said Yasir Arif, a key member of PM Ilyas’ media team.

Reports from Bagh said the entire town and the main artery leading to it from Kohala had been decorated with PTI flags and welcome banners and billboards, carrying portraits of PTI chief Imran Khan, PM Ilyas and other public office holders belonging to the ruling party.

Mr Arif said the public meeting would be held in Sardar Mohammad Hussain Stadium towards the eastern side of Bagh city.

“The prime minister is most likely to make some big announcements for the development of the area including establishment of some new institutions as a potential game changer to revitalise the territory’s economy,” he said.

On Tuesday, PM Ilyas would attend a prayer ceremony at the grave of his uncle Chughtai in Bangoin village, Mr Arif said, adding that the premier had personally invited leaders of almost all political and religious parties to attend the event in keeping with their friendly ties with the late lawmaker.

Published in Dawn, September 5th, 2022