Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Tuesday called for dialogue to resolve the ongoing unrest in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), while announcing an electoral alliance for the upcoming AJK elections. They urged both the government and protesters to pursue a constitutional and political solution.
Joint Press Conference Highlights
Addressing a joint press conference after their meeting, Fazl revealed that the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) had approached him to mediate the crisis. Bilawal said he was prepared to play a role in resolving the issue regardless of personal consequences.
The JUI-F chief said the sit-in in AJK was continuing and disclosed that, following his offer to mediate, the JAAC had sent a delegation to him and formally sought his mediation. He added that Bilawal had supported his mediation efforts in parliament despite being part of the government.
Message to Prime Minister
"We are jointly conveying a message to the prime minister as well, and we hope Shehbaz Sharif will take positive steps regarding the situation in Azad Kashmir," Fazl said. He also noted that if his party's AJK chapter entered into an electoral alliance with the PPP, he would fully support the arrangement.
Bilawal said that Maulana Fazlur Rehman had always played an important role in politics and that he had met him to discuss the ongoing protests in Kashmir. "We both have extensive experience of protest movements," the PPP chairman remarked.
Call for Government Support
Bilawal urged the federal government to support efforts aimed at resolving the Kashmir issue through dialogue. "We request the government to also support us on the Kashmir issue. Elections in Kashmir have already been announced and we want free and fair elections," he said.
He also announced that the PPP and JUI-F would jointly contest the upcoming AJK elections. "The PPP wishes to form the government in Kashmir together with JUI-F," Bilawal stated.
Appeal to Protesters
Bilawal appealed to the Joint Awami Action Committee to remain within the bounds of the law and the Constitution. "We also request the Awami Action Committee to refrain from violating the law and the Constitution," he said. Expressing concern over content circulating on social media relating to Kashmir, Bilawal described such material as worrying and deserving condemnation.
"Every issue is resolved through dialogue and political disputes can only be settled through political means. We have to resolve this matter politically," he emphasized.
Refugee Seats Deadlock
Referring to the dispute over refugee-reserved seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly, Bilawal said the issue had reached a deadlock. "The refugee seats in Kashmir have reached a deadlock. These seats will not be abolished through protests or sit-ins. The only solution is a constitutional amendment through the legislative assembly," he explained.
Bilawal further disclosed that he had invited the Joint Awami Action Committee to participate in the recently held All Parties Conference, but the group chose not to attend. "I am ready to resolve this issue even if I am punished for it. Kashmir is our jugular vein and it has already suffered immense damage," he concluded.
