ISLAMABAD(National Times)- The All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference (AJKMC) and the Azad Kashmir Muttahida Ulema Council on Saturday formally announced an electoral alliance for the upcoming elections to the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.

The announcement was made during a joint press conference at the National Press Club, addressed by AJKMC president and former prime minister Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan and Muttahida Ulema Council chief Mufti Muhammad Wasim Raza.

Sardar Attique told the media political activities in AJK had intensified ahead of the elections and that the Muslim Conference was striving to contest the polls with better preparation and broader unity.

He said the Muslim Conference, despite facing political challenges in recent years, remained a 93-year-old ideological political party with deep roots in the Kashmir freedom movement, Pakistan’s ideology, and issues relating to Khatm-i-Nabuwwat (PBUH)-

Sardar Attique said the party had held consultations with various political and religious groups and had eventually reached an understanding with the Muttahida Ulema Council to jointly field candidates in all AJK constituencies.

He said the purpose of the alliance was to protect the ideological identity of the state, support the Kashmir freedom movement, and safeguard the rights of the people. He stressed that Azad Jammu and Kashmir needed leadership that could effectively raise the Kashmir issue and aspirations of the people.

He thanked Mufti Raza and other religious scholars for their cooperation and support.