Shafaqna Pakistan: PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Wednesday warned that prolonged unrest in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) could harm both the Kashmir cause and Pakistan’s international standing, urging all stakeholders to resolve the crisis through dialogue.
Addressing party office-bearers and election candidates in Muzaffarabad, Bilawal described the situation in AJK as a national tragedy and proposed an independent commission, with the consensus of all stakeholders, to investigate the unrest and recommend a path forward.
He said the developments of the past month had caused deep concern among Kashmiris and Pakistanis alike, warning that any further escalation would only increase the damage to the Kashmir cause and the country’s global image.
“I propose the establishment of an independent commission of all concerned parties,” he said. “The commission should be given a sufficiently broad mandate to examine the present situation, establish the relevant facts, consider the grievances and positions of all sides, review the outstanding political, legal, and administrative issues, and recommend a fair and durable way forward.”
Bilawal said every death reported during the unrest was “a national tragedy” and extended his condolences to the families of those killed.
He stressed that “every allegation should be investigated diligently, impartially and according to due process”, warning that “continued confrontation can only result in further loss and inflammatory accusations.”
Calling for restraint, Bilawal said: “I appeal to the protesters to pause further protests, sit-ins, and long marches if this proposal is acceptable to the Government of Pakistan, the AJK government, and the protesters.”
He said he had discussed the proposal with Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, who had assured him he would raise it with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Bilawal added that politics should be conducted responsibly so that no enemy of Pakistan could exploit the country’s internal issues.
He also reiterated his support for dialogue, saying the state had a legitimate position that it could not be blackmailed into surrendering, but the grievances raised by protesters also needed to be addressed. “We still want a middle ground. We want a peaceful, political solution to all outstanding issues,” he said.
Referring to criticism of Pakistan’s military, Bilawal said: “If anyone speaks against Pakistan, the Pakistan Army or our armed forces, whether from Kashmir or elsewhere in Pakistan, we cannot tolerate it.” “Our armed forces are our red line.”
Turning to broader constitutional questions, Bilawal proposed convening an AJK constitutional convention after the elections to consider governance reforms.
“The people of Kashmir should decide whether further constitutional, political, administrative, and economic reforms are needed,” he said. “The decision about Kashmir must be made by Kashmiris, not by Islamabad or any other city.”
Addressing the contentious issue of the 12 reserved seats for Kashmiri refugees in the AJK Legislative Assembly, Bilawal said: “No constitutional amendment can be imposed through guns or sit-ins.”
“If the issue is the 12 reserved seats, then let the people decide. If they want to keep them, keep them; if they want reforms, discuss reforms. But the representation of refugees must be protected,” he added.
He also proposed granting AJK greater representation in Pakistan’s national institutions through observer status in bodies such as the National Finance Commission, the Council of Common Interests, Parliament and the Senate, saying it would allow Kashmir’s concerns to be raised before disputes escalated.
Despite the unrest ahead of the July 27 AJK elections, Bilawal said the PPP would continue its campaign. “I am here, and I am not going anywhere,” he said. “Whether this issue is resolved or not, I will stand with the people of Kashmir, with our party workers, and we will contest this election.”
Bilawal also outlined the PPP’s broader vision for AJK, saying the party’s struggle had always centred on securing “property rights”, “the right to employment” and greater rights for the people of Kashmir.
Source: Express Tribune
