PoK protests: Amid raging protests and the brutal suppression by Pakistani armed forces in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), the Shehbaz Sharif is now seemingly playing a more insidious game as Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif has expressed the desire to become the Prime Minister of PoK, citing his “connection” to the disputed region.
What did Nawaz Sharif say about PoK?
Addressing a campaign rally in PoK capital Muzaffarabad along with his daughter and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, the former Pakistan Prime Minister cited his alleged connection to the region in a bid to woo the people who have been protesting against Pakistan for a long time.
“It has been a long time since we met. I have come to meet you after a long gap,” Nawaz Sharif said, while describing PoK as his “second home”, and expressing his affection for its residents.
Sharif claimed that he has always fulfilled his promises, and assured he would visit PoK every three months to ensure the party’s election manifesto is being implemented and to monitor the progress of the promised work, even if he does become the PM of PoK.
Nawaz Sharif wants to become PM of PoK?
Talking about the upcoming election in PoK, Nawaz Sharif said it was too early to predict a winner, but asserted that Muzaffarabad would surpass other Pakistani cities in terms of development, if his party was voted to power.
He also ‘joked’ about his desire to become the Prime Minister of PoK, saying he would ask his brother and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to make him the PM here.
“I feel like asking Shehbaz Sharif to make me the Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir. You should make Nawaz Sharif the Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir… I’m just joking,” Sharif said, while urging the people to vote for his party.
Dozens killed as PoK protests turn violent
Nawaz Sharif’s visit to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) comes at a time when violent protests are raging across the restive region, sparking a civil war-like situation in the disputed territory as thousands of protesters have hit the streets against the Pakistani government and the country’s armed forces.
Reports suggest dozens of protesters have been killed in the protests, while more than 100 people have been injured in firing by police and armed forces.
ALSO READ: Pakistan latest news: Bilawal Bhutto rattled as civil war rages in PoK, issues warning to Shehbaz govt over Kashmir and…, says Pakistan will…
Earlier, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, an ally of the Shehbaz Sharif-led federal government, warned Islamabad of wide-ranging consequences if the PoK protests are not quelled at the earliest and reconciliation sought with the people of the region.
First published on: Jul 21, 2026 11:57 PM IST
Get Breaking News First and Latest Updates from India and around the world on News24. Follow News24 on Facebook, Twitter.
End of Article
Related Story
