Calls to categorize those contributing to Kashmir cause, say accession remarks weaken Pakistan’s position
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif on Wednesday stood by his recent controversial remarks on Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), calling for a clear distinction between those who have made sacrifices for the cause of Kashmir and those who have not.
In a television interview, Asif said Rawalakot – which was the scene of protests led by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) – was “not Kashmir” and that he did not consider its residents to be Kashmiris. He then clarified his comments on
The controversy spilled over to the National Assembly earlier in the day, where PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and PPP MP Raja Pervaiz Ashraf slammed Asif for his remarks.
Read: Asif warns of ‘anti-Pak agenda’ in AJK
Responding to criticism of a private TV show Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saththe minister resolutely declared: “Bilawal has the right to say anything, I have no reservations about that, that is the beauty of democracy. When politicians criticize each other in the Assembly or even in the media, I believe it is a sign of the success of the system.
“I welcome criticism and stand by my views – true or false but fair in my opinion – I stand by them.”
He criticized the actions of the JAAC in AJK and accused its members of mistreating the bodies.
“The action committee members not only caused death of people but also desecrated their bodies. After this, one of the committee members said that even if the bodies were returned from Balochistan, we will not return them from Kashmir,” he said.
The minister also criticized the committee’s demand to remove references to AJK’s accession to Pakistan from the official provisions.
“If such voices start emerging from our side of Kashmir, it will undermine our position in a plebiscite. Such statements benefit India.”
Reiterating his stand on the language issue, Asif said he stood by his earlier remarks and maintained that the language spoken in parts of AJK differed from the Kashmiri language spoken in the Valley.
“The language issue is totally different. The language spoken in parts of Punjab is also spoken in parts of Azad Kashmir. Kashmiri, however, is a completely different language which is spoken in the valley and many parts of Azad Kashmir.”
“Those who migrated from there speak this language, but in the areas bordering Punjab, Kashmiri is not spoken. Instead, the language of Pakistan’s Potohar region is spoken there.”
Read also: Bilawal, Fazl criticize Khawaja Asif for AJK’s remarks during heated NA session
The defense minister said there should be a clear categorization between those who made sacrifices, those who continued to do so and those who emigrated and are living elsewhere.
“I believe that categorization is my right and also the right of those people who are still making sacrifices in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.”
Referring to the issue of seats reserved for migrants, Asif accused unnamed political forces of supporting the protesting elements for political purposes.
He said some parties believed that more seats in Punjab could increase their political influence, terming the issue “all politics”.
Asked about Fazl, who was approached by the JAAC to mediate with the government, the minister said he respected the role of the veteran politician.
“I respect Maulana’s policies. Whether his efforts can help find a solution is up to the government to decide. Personally, I have no objection to Maulana’s mediation.”
Asif also expressed support for resolving issues through negotiation.
“I believe in dialogue, but at the same time, I also believe in expressing my opinions. Whether someone agrees with them or not, I respect their opinion.”
Responding to a question regarding Fazl’s call to protesters to end their sit-in, the minister said he had no objection to contacts between the JUI-F leader, the government and AJK political groups.
“If there are talks with Maulana, whether by our party or by political elements in Kashmir, who am I to oppose it?
Background
The recent unrest and deadly clashes broke out in certain areas, notably in Rawalakot, where the JAAC had organized a sit-in in front of the Rawalakot Combined Military Hospital. AJK police say armed JAAC members opened fire on security forces deployed during a planned attack, leaving four people dead and around 20 injured. The JAAC, however, disputes this version, saying that security forces used tear gas and fired shells towards the hospital.
According to the AJK Police, three individuals linked to the JAAC and four law enforcement personnel were killed during the protests. The JAAC, however, said in a statement on
The clash occurred as the AJK government and JAAC witnessed a face-off with the election date for AJK being announced for July 27.
Learn more: Some elements seeking to create instability within AJK despite repeated offers for dialogue: Rana Sanaullah
The 53-member AJK Legislative Assembly has 12 seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees, people who fled Indian-controlled Kashmir in 1947 and 1965 and are now scattered across Pakistan. Six seats represent refugees from the Jammu division (~434,000 people) and six from the Kashmir Valley (~30,000 people) – an already lopsided arrangement that many see as unfair.
The region experienced one of its most turbulent periods in October last year, when JAAC-led protests erupted demanding constitutional and governance reforms. At least nine people, including three police officers, were killed during the unrest.
The JAAC, which organized the protests and strike, had presented a broad charter of demands, including an end to the privileges enjoyed by the ruling elite, the removal of 12 assembly seats reserved for refugees and the abolition of the quota system.
Two days after the violence, the government and the JAAC reached an agreement on 12 basic points and 13 additional points. Under the agreement, both sides agreed to constitute a high-level committee to look into the issue of refugee seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly.
