Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday appealed to protesters in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) to end their ongoing sit-ins and engage in constructive dialogue with the government. He made these remarks while chairing a party meeting in Lahore focused on the escalating political and administrative crisis in AJK.
The region has been engulfed in widespread protests and strikes triggered by the abolition of 12 legislative seats reserved for migrants in the AJK Legislative Assembly, alongside grievances related to inflation, electricity tariffs, and subsidy cuts. The unrest has escalated into violent confrontations between security forces and demonstrators, resulting in fatalities.
Expressing deep sorrow over the loss of lives on both sides, Nawaz Sharif stated that such turmoil should have been prevented. He emphasized the importance of unity, reminding that the country belongs to all citizens who must coexist peacefully like brothers.
Sharif urged the political leadership in AJK to address their concerns within the constitutional framework. He highlighted that the 1974 Interim Constitution of AJK guarantees full civil liberties and provides legal mechanisms for citizens to assert their rights without resorting to violence.
In a significant development, he warned that ongoing instability in this strategically sensitive border region could be exploited by hostile external forces. He cautioned against actions that might inadvertently aid adversaries’ agendas.
Reaffirming PML-N’s longstanding position on Kashmir, Nawaz Sharif reiterated the party’s commitment to the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination in line with United Nations resolutions. He also praised the restraint demonstrated by state authorities and security agencies during the crisis and called on the public to uphold peace while maintaining their ideological connection with Pakistan.
The meeting, attended by senior PML-N leaders from Islamabad and Muzaffarabad, concluded with collective prayers for those who lost their lives amid the recent turmoil.
