PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari meets JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Tuesday to discuss domestic political issues in Islamabad. Photo: X/PPP
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) president Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Tuesday called for dialogue to resolve the ongoing unrest in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, while announcing an electoral alliance for the upcoming elections in the region and urging both sides to seek a peaceful solution.
At a joint press conference after their meeting, Fazl revealed that the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) had approached him to mediate the crisis, while 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 revealed that following his offer to mediate, the JAAC had sent a delegation to him and formally sought his mediation.
He said Bilawal had supported his mediation efforts in Parliament despite being part of the government.
“We are also jointly conveying a message to the Prime Minister and hope that Shehbaz Sharif will take positive steps regarding the situation in Azad Kashmir,” he said.
The JUI-F chief also said that if his party’s AJK chapter were to form an electoral alliance with the PPP, he would fully support the deal.
Bilawal said Fazl had always played an important role in politics and had met him to discuss the ongoing protests in Kashmir. “We both have extensive experience in protest movements.”
The PPP chairman urged the federal government to support efforts aimed at resolving the Kashmir issue through dialogue.
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“We ask the government to also support us on the Kashmir issue. Elections have already been announced in Kashmir and we want free and fair elections,” he said.
Bilawal also announced that the PPP and JUI-F would jointly contest the upcoming AJK elections.
“The PPP wants to form the government in Kashmir along with JUI-F,” he said.
He also called on the JAAC to stay within the confines of the law and the Constitution.
Expressing concern over content circulating on social media related to Kashmir, Bilawal said such material was worrying and deserved condemnation.
“All issues are resolved through dialogue, and political disputes can only be resolved through political means. We have to resolve this issue politically,” he said.
Referring to the dispute over seats reserved for refugees in the AJK Legislative Assembly, Bilawal said the issue had reached a stalemate.
“Refugee seats in Kashmir have come to a standstill. These seats will not be abolished through protests or sit-ins. The only solution is a constitutional amendment through the legislative assembly,” he said.
Bilawal further revealed that he had invited the JAAC to participate in the recently held All Parties Conference, but the group decided 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 said.
