Azad Kashmir PM announces Rs1b Poonch Relief Package, lauds Pak Army as rally echoes support

Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq Sunday announced a Rs1 billion package for Poonch and urged unity with Pakistan’s armed forces as thousands gathered at the Sabir Shaheed Stadium for a Marka-e-Haq, Bunyanum Marsoos rally.

The rally, attended by senior ministers, former premiers, leaders of political and religious parties, civil society and large crowds of supporters, frequently echoed with slogans of “Pak Army Zindabad” and “Pakistan Zindabad.”

In a forceful address, Chaudhry Anwarul Haq said his government remains committed to promoting unity and solidarity and praised the coalition for enabling the relief package, which he described as a step to redress longstanding deprivations in the Poonch region.

He congratulated Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir on the recent Pakistan–Saudi Arabia defence agreement, saying the pact would bolster Pakistan’s standing in international forums and add weight to the Kashmir cause.

Referring to recent tensions along the Line of Control, the Azad Kashmir premier accused India of attempting to escalate the situation in Lipa over the past 72 hours and lauded the Pakistani military for what he called a “befitting reply” to those acts. He warned that Kashmiris must remain vigilant against what he described as enemy conspiracies and paid tribute to the bravery of local people and the armed forces.

Chaudhry Anwarul Haq also thanked the political leadership of Azad Kashmir and the coalition partners for their cooperation, saying the bonds of loyalty with Pakistan are “unconditional” and will remain permanent.

Former Prime Ministers Sardar Atiq Ahmed Khan, Sardar Yaqoob Khan, Raja Farooq Haider Khan and Sardar Tanveer Ilyas, along with other senior political figures, were present at the rally. A large contingent of workers from various parties and religious groups joined the gathering, which prominently praised the military’s recent operations and expressed solidarity with Palestine.

The announcement of the Poonch package and the rally’s strong pro-army tenor underline the region’s alignment with federal security policy and the government’s emphasis on relief and political unity amid rising regional tensions.