With just days remaining before Azad Jammu and Kashmir heads to the polls, the election has taken on the character of a direct clash between the PML-N and the PPP, with both parties deploying their top leadership to the region. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari is already on the ground, hoping to replicate his party's success in Gilgit-Baltistan, where a vigorous campaign led to government formation. PML-N President Nawaz Sharif, who had maintained a relatively low profile in recent months, has now stepped in to lead his party's charge, signaling the high stakes Islamabad attaches to the outcome. Main Developments Nawaz Sharif is expected to address multiple rallies across Azad Kashmir in the coming days, a move that political observers describe as an attempt to counter the momentum built by Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari. The PPP chairman has already been canvassing in the region, much as he did in Gilgit-Baltistan, where his party's victory reshaped the political landscape. PML-N leaders acknowledge they are learning from past mistakes, with Information Adviser Ikhtiyar Wali stating that the party did not expect Bilawal to personally select candidates in GB, a strategy that proved effective. Bilawal, for his part, has gone on the offensive. In a speech in Kotli, he accused the PML-N of provoking unrest through controversial remarks, specifically citing comments by federal minister Khawaja Asif, who reportedly questioned whether Rawalkot was part of AJK. Bilawal claimed such statements have not been denied by the prime minister, and he vowed that the PPP would “hunt the lion” in the mountains of Kashmir. PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah warned against such rhetoric, saying it could add “fuel to the fire,” while PPP leader Sharjeel Memon countered that Bilawal was trying to “put out” a fire ignited by PML-N ministers. Read also: 40 Registered Lifesaving Drugs Still Blocked by Price Delay Background The current election campaign takes place against a backdrop of ongoing unrest in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, fueled by a crackdown on protests led by the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC). Many observers believe the PML-N is on the back foot due to its perceived role in that crackdown, which has generated widespread resentment among locals. The PPP currently holds power in AJK, giving it an organizational advantage over the PML-N, which is seeking to regain ground after losing the Gilgit-Baltistan elections last year. Nawaz Sharif's decision to personally lead the campaign marks a departure from his recent low profile, and some analysts question whether it is a wise move. One veteran politician, speaking anonymously, argued that the elder Sharif has not made a “wise decision” by stepping in, given the party's unpopularity amid the ongoing unrest. Others, like Pildat President Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, support the move, noting that while PPP Chairman Bilawal can campaign freely, his father Asif Ali Zardari cannot do so as president, so Nawaz's physical presence is a rightful show of support. Why It Matters The outcome of the AJK polls will be seen as a bellwether for the national political mood ahead of general elections. A defeat for the PML-N, despite the involvement of Nawaz Sharif, would deal a significant blow to his popularity and could embolden the PPP as it positions itself for a broader comeback. Conversely, a PML-N victory would demonstrate that the party can still win in challenging terrain, even as it faces accusations of heavy-handed governance. The contest also underscores the growing rivalry between the two dynastic parties, with both leaders directly staking their personal prestige on the result. What's Next Both parties are expected to intensify their campaigns in the final days before the vote, with Nawaz Sharif scheduled to address multiple rallies and Bilawal continuing his ground-level engagement. The election itself will take place within the week, and results will likely be closely scrutinized for signs of broader political trends. Open questions remain about whether the PML-N can overcome the resentment generated by the JAAC crackdown, and whether the PPP can successfully defend its incumbency advantage against a determined challenger.