In a significant development, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif called for an immediate halt to the ongoing sit-ins in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), urging all parties involved to engage in constructive and meaningful dialogue. He voiced his concerns about the escalating political tensions in the region during a party meeting held in Lahore on Wednesday.
Chairing the session focused on reviewing the political and administrative landscape of AJK, Nawaz Sharif highlighted the importance of resolving issues within constitutional boundaries. He emphasized that the country belongs to everyone and stressed the need for political and public rights to be pursued through legal frameworks.
Notably, the AJK government had declared the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) a banned organization under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) on June 5. This decision came just days before JAAC’s planned protest on June 9, which aimed to challenge the existence of 12 seats in AJK reserved for refugees from Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) who migrated to Pakistan after 1947.
Nawaz urged all political parties, alongside the AJK and federal governments, to collaborate in restoring peace and stability in the region. He underscored the importance of fostering tolerance, harmony, and democratic values to overcome the current unrest.
The meeting also expressed deep sorrow over recent casualties in AJK, offering prayers for those who lost their lives amid the turmoil. Nawaz Sharif reiterated that the PML-N has consistently prioritized constitutional rights, public welfare, and development initiatives for the people of AJK.
Reaffirming the party’s position on Kashmir, he stated that the people of IIOJK deserve the right to self-determination as outlined by United Nations resolutions. He praised the sacrifices made by Kashmiris for Pakistan and encouraged them to maintain their ideological and intellectual connection with the country while advocating for peace.
Additionally, Nawaz commended Federal Minister Amir Muqam for his role in organizing election campaigns in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir. The meeting was attended by senior PML-N leaders, including representatives from the party’s AJK chapter, reflecting a unified approach to addressing the region’s challenges.
