Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari declared on Tuesday that his party, in alliance with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), plans to establish a coalition government in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) following the elections scheduled for July 27. This announcement followed a high-level meeting in Islamabad, held two days after both parties officially declared their electoral alliance for the 53-member AJK Legislative Assembly elections. They agreed to present joint candidates in selected constituencies.
Addressing a joint press conference with JUI-F leader Maulana Fazl, Bilawal described the PPP-JUI-F alliance in AJK as unprecedented and expressed strong confidence that the coalition would secure victory and form the next government after the upcoming polls. He further suggested that similar partnerships might be explored in other regions such as Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Sindh.
In a significant development, Bilawal also commented on the ongoing protests in AJK, stating that all parties involved desire a resolution and are working towards creating a peaceful environment to address the crisis. He voiced support for Maulana Fazl’s mediation efforts and called on the government to back these initiatives, highlighting the veteran politician’s valuable experience in navigating political challenges.
Bilawal emphasized the importance of conducting the AJK elections in a free, fair, and peaceful manner. While acknowledging protest as a democratic right, he urged that it remain non-violent to maintain stability.
Notably, the AJK government had imposed a ban on the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) on June 5 under the Anti-Terrorism Act, following violent protests. This ban came just days before the group’s planned June 9 demonstration demanding the removal of 12 seats in the AJK assembly reserved for refugees from Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) who migrated to Pakistan after 1947.
At the press conference, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazl revealed that protesters had requested his mediation in the ongoing sit-in. He acknowledged Bilawal’s parliamentary support for this initiative and mentioned that a message had been sent to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, expressing hope for constructive government action. Fazl stressed that the issue of the 12 refugee seats should be resolved through dialogue and negotiation.
Additionally, Fazl confirmed that the PPP had proposed a coalition partnership to JUI-F in Balochistan as well. He stated he would consult with his party’s leadership before making a final decision on this offer.
