Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Wednesday demanded a high-powered commission to launch an investigation into events that have resulted in unrest across Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), adding law enforcers should conduct inquiries according to state laws.
Addressing the PPP leadership and ticket holders in Muzaffarabad ahead of upcoming general elections, he said the situation in the region was a matter of concern not only for Kashmiris, but for every Pakistani.
Despite the AJK government banning the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) on June 5 under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), the group has staged a sit-in outside Rawalakot for the past month. During this time, several clashes have occurred between JAAC supporters and law enforcement, with several deaths reported from both sides and dozens of injuries.
The JAAC’s primary demand is the abolition of 12 seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly reserved for refugees who migrated to Pakistan after 1947.
The PPP leader said the commission should have full powers to investigate recent developments, adding politicians in Pakistan and AJK, as well as the protesters, should carefully reflect on their conduct. He advised everyone to choose their words responsibly amidst the unrest and urged all political parties to play their role in establishing peace in the region.
During his address, Bhutto-Zardari also addressed recent remarks from Jamiat Ulema-e-islam (Fazl) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, saying the armed forces were a red line for his party. He warned that rhetoric directed against the forces would not be tolerated, adding statements to this effect from AJK were unacceptable. He emphasized that the PPP would never tolerate anti-state narratives.
Referring to the people of Kashmir, the PPP chief said his party was deeply hurt whenever offensive language was used against Kashmiris. He said no remarks against Kashmiris would be tolerated and stressed that commitments made to the Kashmiri people must be honored.
However, he emphasized, violent protests and demonstrations could not be permitted under any circumstances. Similarly, he said constitutional amendments could not be imposed through sit-ins or at gunpoint, warning against allowing politics of terrorism to take root in the region.
Bhutto-Zardari said Kashmir would decide its own future and that no one else could make that decision. Voting rights of refugees could be protected, he said, reiterating that a peaceful solution to issues concerning Kashmir was required.
Written response
Also on Wednesday, Bhutto-Zardari responded to a letter from the banned JAAC, saying the continuing loss of life in AJK, including the deaths reported a day earlier, is a national tragedy.
“Every Kashmiri’s life is precious. The death of a peaceful citizen cannot be treated as an acceptable consequence of political disagreement, just as the life of every police and security official must also be protected,” he wrote, proposing the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission with the consent of all stakeholders to address the ongoing situation in AJK.
He said the commission should be tasked with formulating recommendations aimed at achieving a fair, peaceful and lasting resolution to the challenges facing the region.
The PPP leader said Pakistan’s relationship with the people of Kashmir should be based on consent, dignity, democratic rights and mutual respect, stressing the immediate priority was to prevent further bloodshed and rebuild public trust through credible and verifiable measures. He appealed to the JAAC to suspend its proposed long march and sit-ins after an agreement was reached on the formation of the commission.
He also urged authorities to refrain from taking further measures while the commission carried out its work and awaited its findings and recommendations.