Aleem Khan Azad Kashmir development plans took center stage after former Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas officially joined the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) along with several political figures during a ceremony in Islamabad.
Speaking at a press conference, IPP President Aleem Khan said his party is committed to addressing the long-standing concerns of the people of Azad Kashmir. He pledged to improve governance, expand access to quality education, provide basic public services, and ensure that decisions affecting the region are made according to the aspirations and interests of its residents.
Alongside Tanveer Ilyas, several other political personalities, including Colonel Mehboob, Ali Khan Soni, Malik Zulfiqar, Sahiba Siddiq, Riaz Gujar, Tahir Khokhar, Raja Talib, Murtaza Ali Ahmed, Jabbar Mughal, and Taqdees Gilani, also announced their decision to join the IPP.
Aleem Khan said politics should focus on public welfare rather than the pursuit of power. He stated that meaningful change can only be achieved through practical action and promised that, if given the opportunity to form a government, the party would uphold merit, transparency, and public service as its core principles.
Commenting on the political environment, he urged all parties to accept election results in a democratic manner. He said winners should remain humble while those who lose should show patience. He also criticized parties that have governed multiple times, arguing they should answer for their own performance instead of questioning others.
Aleem Khan also praised the country’s prime minister for remaining determined during challenging circumstances. He said he had requested the opportunity to focus on the Ministry of Communications so that Pakistan’s transport infrastructure could be modernized and expanded.
Highlighting ongoing development projects, Aleem Khan said work is progressing on highways and motorways across the country, including projects in Gilgit-Baltistan.
He added that work on the Sukkur-Karachi Motorway is expected to begin this year, while the Lahore-Sialkot Motorway is being expanded from four to six lanes.
He also said construction is continuing on the Lahore-Sialkot-Kharian-Islamabad Motorway, which is expected to reduce travel distance between Lahore and Islamabad by nearly 100 kilometers.
In addition, the Islamabad-Murree Expressway will be extended to Muzaffarabad, while a modern highway connecting Muzaffarabad with Mansehra is also planned to improve travel and connectivity for the people of Azad Kashmir.
