Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said he wants to become the Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) if the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) secures victory in the upcoming elections, describing it as his long-held desire to serve the region.

Addressing a public gathering in Muzaffarabad, Nawaz Sharif said Azad Kashmir holds a special place in his heart and is as important to him as Punjab.

“If PML-N wins the election, I would like to become the Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir,” he said, adding that he wants to dedicate himself to resolving the region’s longstanding issues.

The former premier announced a series of development commitments, including a tenfold increase in the AJK budget, construction of a motorway linking Mansehra, Muzaffarabad and Mirpur, deployment of 15 mobile hospitals, and provision of 10 Green Line buses for Muzaffarabad.

He also instructed Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to prepare a special development package for Azad Kashmir and said the region should receive infrastructure and public service projects similar to those being implemented in Punjab.

Nawaz Sharif said that even if he does not assume the office of AJK prime minister, he will visit the region every three months to review development work alongside the local leadership.

Referring to his recent road journey with Maryam Nawaz, he said the poor condition of roads between Kohala and Muzaffarabad underscored the need for modern infrastructure. He questioned why the region had been left behind despite the expansion of Pakistan’s motorway network.

Reaffirming his emotional connection with Kashmir, Nawaz Sharif said his ancestors belonged to the region and pledged that, if elected, PML-N would launch development projects across every part of Azad Kashmir.