ISLAMABAD - Both the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) leadership on Saturday urged all stakeholders to pursue dialogue to end the ongoing stalemate in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) following protests led by the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), calling for restoring essential food supplies to the region.
Meeting Between PTI and JI Leaders
Both sides reached the agreement as JI Ameer Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman along with his delegation met with PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan and other senior party leadership in Islamabad. The leaders of the PTI AJK chapter were also present on the occasion.
Addressing a joint press conference at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House, both Gohar and Naeem said the issues of AJK should be resolved through mutual understanding and peaceful negotiations.
PTI Chairman's Call to Federal Government
Gohar called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif led federal government to accept the “legitimate” demands of the people of Azad Kashmir, urging it to restore the supply of essential food commodities to the region without delay.
“We have discussed in detail the overall situation of the country, especially of Kashmir…We have agreed to some points,” he said. The PTI chairman said the meeting agreed that there would be no compromise on the Kashmir cause. He emphasized that all issues of the region should be resolved through mutual understanding, avoiding “irresponsible” statements by any side.
“We unanimously agreed that there should be no point scoring on any issue linked to Kashmir,” he said.
Appreciation for JI's Efforts
Gohar appreciated efforts of Hafiz Naeem to seek a negotiated solution to the situation. “The opposition parties would form a joint plan of action and try that dialogue should be given a chance to protect properties and lives of citizens,” he said.
He noted that JI chief Naeem would hold meetings with other politicians and government functionaries in this connection. He said that the JAAC represented people and the demands of the people of AJK were fair.
“The government should meet the demands that were already agreed upon, and joint efforts should be made to find a solution to the disputed points,” he said. He underlined that the situation should be defused politically in a better way.
JI Chief's Remarks
Speaking on his turn, Hafiz Naeem urged political parties to remain united in support of Kashmir, stressing that irresponsible statements should be avoided. He said that there was a lockdown situation in the region with all businesses closed besides a shortage of essential food items.
“There is a need to find a way out for peace and the betterment of masses,” JI Ameer said, adding that the Kashmir cause was badly affected due to the situation.
He urged all sides to avoid a blame game, calling on the government to focus on addressing genuine issues of the people.
“We understand that the government should move forward by showing responsibility,” he said, adding that things should not reach a point of no return. He said that JI had formed a “responsible” committee to talk to the JAAC. “We will talk to all stakeholders including the civil society,” he said.
