Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Friday called upon the federal government to reopen Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), emphasizing the need to relieve residents affected by ongoing disturbances. Speaking at an election rally in Dadyal, AJK, he highlighted Pakistan’s role in brokering peace between the United States and Iran as a precedent for reopening Kashmir.
Bilawal referenced the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed on June 17 by the US and Iran, which was predominantly mediated by Pakistan. This 14-point agreement ended hostilities and reopened the Strait of Hormuz for commercial navigation. He argued that if Pakistan can facilitate such significant international agreements, it should also be capable of reopening Kashmir.
His statements come amid escalating violence linked to protests and sit-ins in parts of AJK ahead of the July 27 elections. Earlier, on June 5, the AJK government declared the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) a proscribed organization under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), accusing it of terrorist activities. This ban was imposed just days before JAAC planned a protest on June 9 against the continuation of 12 seats reserved in AJK for refugees from Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) who migrated to Pakistan after 1947.
Bilawal described the upcoming elections as the most crucial in the region’s history, viewing them as a test for Pakistan and an opportunity for the people to express their will. He criticized politicians for failing to effectively communicate Kashmiris’ concerns to Islamabad and pledged that if entrusted with power, he would become their representative voice.
Addressing the ongoing unrest, the PPP leader stressed that no issue is beyond resolution through political and peaceful means. He revealed that after receiving communications from demonstrators, he proposed establishing a truth and reconciliation commission to address the conflict. However, he noted that he has yet to receive a response to this proposal. Bilawal urged both protesters and authorities to avoid causing hardship to ordinary citizens, warning that disruptions affecting food and essential supplies ultimately harm the public.
He acknowledged the government’s responsibility to uphold law and order but cautioned against punishing the entire Kashmiri population for the actions of a few individuals. Looking ahead, Bilawal committed to convening a constitutional convention after the elections, where proposals would be sourced from the people, with constitutional bodies making decisions on refugee seats and voting rights.
In a significant development, he called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to clarify the federal government’s stance following contradictory remarks from cabinet members, including Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, regarding Kashmir and refugee seats. Bilawal urged the removal of the defence minister if his comments did not reflect official policy.
He also condemned a federal minister’s reported assertion that “12 Kashmir seats are in our pocket,” describing such an attitude as dismissive of the electoral process in the region. Bilawal emphasized that the decision on Kashmir lies solely with the region’s youth and encouraged voters to support the PPP in what he termed the final election for refugee seats in both AJK and Pakistan.
