PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari is meeting JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Tuesday to discuss national political issues in Islamabad. Photo: X/PPP
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leader 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, while announcing an electoral alliance for the upcoming elections in the region and urging both sides to seek a peaceful solution.
Addressing a joint press conference after their meeting, Fazl revealed that the banned Awami Joint Action Committee (JAAC) had approached him to mediate the crisis, while Bilawal said he was ready to play a role in resolving the issue, whatever the personal consequences.
The JUI-F leader said the sit-in at AJK was continuing and revealed that following his offer of mediation, the JAAC sent a delegation to him and formally requested his mediation.
He said Bilawal 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 the AJK chapter of his party entered into an electoral alliance with the PPP, he would fully support the arrangement.
Bilawal said Fazl had always played an important role in politics and met him to discuss the ongoing protests in Kashmir. “We both have extensive experience with protest movements.”
The PPP chairman urged the federal government to support efforts to resolve the Kashmir issue through dialogue.
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“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.
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 with the JUI-F,” he said.
He also called on the JAAC to stay within the bounds of the law and the Constitution.
Expressing concern over content circulating on social media regarding Kashmir, Bilawal said such material was disturbing and deserved condemnation.
“Every problem is resolved through dialogue, and political disputes can only be resolved through political means. We must resolve this issue politically,” he said.
Referring to the dispute over seats reserved for refugees in the AJK Legislative Assembly, Bilawal said the issue was at an impasse.
“The refugee seats in Kashmir are in 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 said.
Bilawal further revealed that he had invited the JAAC to participate in the recent all-party 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 said.
