PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Monday said the Pakistan Peoples Party would not run the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government “from behind closed doors”.

Speaking to the media at the oath‑taking ceremony of the AJK prime minister, he congratulated the people of Kashmir and said political activity had now been restored in the region.

Bilawal said the PPP’s relationship with Kashmir spanned three generations.

He recalled that following the assassination of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, protests were held not only in Muzaffarabad but also in Srinagar.

He added that former prime minister Benazir Bhutto had once said that wherever the sweat of Kashmiris fell, the blood of the PPP would also be shed.

He alleged that the PPP’s mandate in Kashmir had previously been stolen to bring the PTI founder into power.

The PPP chairman said he personally visited Kashmir during the elections and praised the political awareness of the people of AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Bilawal said the promises made by newly sworn‑in AJK Prime Minister Faisal Rathore to the public were now a trust placed with him.

He urged Rathore to resolve public issues using the authority vested in him and to fulfil all commitments made to the people.

Commenting on regional tensions, Bilawal said the world had witnessed Pakistan’s strength after the recent conflict with India.

“India is hiding its face from the world. From the United States to other countries, everyone will remind them that seven of their aircraft were downed,” he remarked.

He further said that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was avoiding the global stage to avoid embarrassment.