MUZAFFARABAD: Shah Ghulam Qadir, the regional president of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), on Tuesday expressed regrets over the alleged discrimination faced by PML-N workers in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), despite the party being part of the coalition government.

“Our [five] members are part of the state cabinet, yet our workers are subjected to vindictive actions, and funds for the projects initiated during the PML-N rule have been halted. This is unacceptable to us,” Mr Qadir said during a meeting with a party delegation from Kotli district.

The delegation included former AJK ministers Raja Naseer Ahmad Khan, Malik Mohammad Nawaz, and Sardar Farooq Sikandar, along with Zulfiqar Ali Malik, Raja Mohammad Riasat, Raja Ayaz Nisar, and Sardar Umair Naeem.

Updating the regional president on the political situation in Kotli, the delegation alleged that vindictive transfers of employees belonging to families associated with the PML-N (away from their home station) had become a common practice in their district.

Drawing attention to what they claimed was widespread dissatisfaction among the PML-N workers, they said a vast majority favoured exiting the coalition government without further ado.

Alleging that obstacles had been created in the execution of projects approved by the previous PML-N government, the delegation members warned that the “continued discrimination would force the PML-N workers to launch a vigorous protest movement.”

Taking strong exception to the reported actions, Mr Qadir made it clear that such treatment of PML-N affiliates would no longer be tolerated.

“The government must reconsider its discriminatory policies against our workers and address their grievances promptly. If not, the PML-N may consider withdrawing from the government in line with the wishes of its workers. We know how to protect [the interests of] our workers,” he asserted.

He called on the PML-N workers to remain courageous and patient, assuring them of the leadership’s full support.

He informed the delegation that the concerns and aspirations of the PML-N workers raised at the recent working committee meeting had been communicated to party president Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, and Punjab Chief Minister and party’s chief organizer Maryam Nawaz.

Mr Qadir assured the delegation that even tough decisions would be made in the party’s best interest.

He maintained that Kotli district remained a PML-N stronghold and he would shortly visit it to hear directly from the party workers at the grassroots level.

Published in Dawn, July 24th, 2024