Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has responded to criticism from PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari regarding his statements on Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), affirming that he remains steadfast in his views. Speaking on a current affairs programme, Asif highlighted that political maneuvering over reserved seats for refugees in AJK was disrespectful to those who sacrificed during the conflict.
He welcomed Bilawal’s criticism but insisted on maintaining his stance. Asif added that if his party directed him to remain silent on the issue, he would comply. He also noted that it was up to the government to determine whether the concerns could be addressed through mediation led by JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman.
This exchange follows Bilawal’s sharp rebuke of federal ministers’ comments on Kashmir during a National Assembly session. Bilawal accused one federal minister of exacerbating tensions rather than helping to ease them, urging Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to manage his cabinet more effectively. He questioned why some ministers denied the Kashmiri identity of Rawalakot residents and pointed out that the minister in question had yet to apologize.
Bilawal emphasized the importance of allowing Maulana Fazlur Rehman to play a mediating role in resolving the issue. The National Assembly debated the matter after Defence Minister Asif faced criticism for his remarks about AJK residents, drawing objections from both the PPP and JUI-F.
The unrest in AJK escalated ahead of a strike scheduled for June 9, called by the Joint Action Committee (JAAC) to protest the reservation of 12 seats for refugees in the upcoming July 27 elections for the region’s 45-seat legislative assembly. These refugees reside in Pakistan after being displaced from Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
