A heated yet significant debate on the situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) unfolded in the National Assembly, with Prime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah welcoming Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s mediation efforts and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari calling for a political solution to the ongoing tensions.
The discussion centered on the demands of the Joint Action Committee, the issue of refugee seats, the upcoming Azad Kashmir elections and the need for dialogue to maintain peace and stability in the region.
Addressing the National Assembly, Rana Sanaullah said the government would welcome any constructive mediation role played by JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman.
He described Fazlur Rehman’s remarks on Kashmir as important and reiterated that Kashmir remains Pakistan’s “jugular vein,” stressing that no misunderstanding should be allowed to emerge on such a sensitive issue.
“The government will welcome the role that Maulana Fazlur Rehman plays for mediation,” Rana Sanaullah said.
Rana Sanaullah rejected claims that the government had ignored the demands of the Joint Action Committee. According to him, not a single demand among the committee’s 38-point agenda had been neglected, and significant progress had been made on every issue raised during negotiations.
He said government representatives traveled to Muzaffarabad multiple times and held detailed discussions with committee members.
The adviser stated that the government committee met 31 representatives, discussed all 38 points and worked alongside the prime minister, chief secretary and other officials to address concerns.
Dispute over refugee seats
A major point of disagreement remains the demand regarding refugee seats in the Azad Kashmir Assembly.
Rana Sanaullah argued that abolishing refugee seats would be unconstitutional and would deprive refugees who sacrificed for Pakistan of their right to representation. He said only the Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly has the constitutional authority to make decisions regarding such seats.
According to him, the issue cannot be resolved through rallies, sit-ins or public pressure. The adviser noted that several alternatives were proposed, including referring the matter to the Azad Kashmir Assembly, obtaining a decision through the AP mechanism, sending a presidential reference and postponing discussions until after elections.
However, he said all of those proposals were rejected by the committee.
Govt highlights development measures
Rana Sana said the government had already approved a number of major initiatives for Azad Kashmir. These included reducing electricity tariffs to Rs3.50 per unit, providing wheat supplies and MRI machines, and approving Rs10 billion for improvements to the electricity system.
He said demands relating to development and infrastructure were accepted and acted upon by the federal government.
The adviser claimed that the Joint Action Committee unexpectedly boycotted meetings despite progress being made. He said committee members had announced plans to march toward Muzaffarabad on June 9 and press their demands through public mobilization.
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Rana Sanaullah added that the latest demand being raised was to halt the upcoming Azad Kashmir elections. Questioning the practicality of that demand, he asked whether elections could be stopped through force or military action.
He emphasized that elections are scheduled for July and that the next elected Azad Kashmir Assembly would have the authority to decide constitutional and legislative matters. According to him, life remains normal across Azad Kashmir except in Rawalakot.
He also alleged that some elements wanted to launch an armed movement toward Muzaffarabad.
Fazl urged to engage committee
Rana Sanaullah encouraged Maulana Fazlur Rehman to hold talks with the Joint Action Committee and hear their concerns directly. He expressed confidence that the JUI-F chief would eventually conclude that several of the committee’s demands lacked constitutional or legal justification.
The adviser further claimed that one demand included removing the clause relating to accession to Pakistan from nomination papers, a proposal he strongly opposed.
He also criticized what he described as the committee’s overall approach and urged members to first withdraw from their current course of action before seeking further negotiations.
Bilawal calls for political solution
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari delivered a passionate speech, urging the government to pursue dialogue rather than confrontation.
He proposed that responsibility for restoring peace in Azad Kashmir should be entrusted to Maulana Fazlur Rehman, arguing that the veteran politician should be given an opportunity to mediate.
Bilawal said the government and political parties had attempted to find a political solution to the Kashmir issue and stressed that all political disputes should be resolved through political means.
Criticism of cabinet members
Bilawal also criticized certain federal ministers, accusing them of creating difficulties for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He questioned why individuals who, in his view, failed to properly represent the concerns of Rawalakot residents remained part of the federal cabinet.
The PPP chairman specifically referred to a controversial statement by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, saying it had added fuel to tensions in Kashmir. He argued that despite opportunities to clarify or retract the remarks, the minister had refused to apologize.
“The prime minister should control his cabinet members,” Bilawal said, warning that such statements were worsening political tensions. He added that he wanted to see Prime Minister Sharif succeed because “his success is the success of Pakistan.”
Message to MQM and local govt issue
Without directly naming MQM leaders, Bilawal also criticized the government’s handling of local government reforms. He argued that Karachi representatives were being offered promises rather than concrete action and questioned how long they would continue accepting what he described as “lollipops.”
Bilawal urged allies dissatisfied with the government’s performance to reconsider their position and accused the federal government of failing to implement meaningful local government reforms.
He called for local government elections across the country within 90 days and demanded greater administrative and financial autonomy for local governments, including empowering the mayor of Islamabad.
The PPP chairman also urged authorities to replicate Karachi’s local government model in Lahore and insisted that local government elections should be held before any new constitutional amendments are introduced.
Fazl warns mediation requires flexibility
Meanwhile, Maulana Fazlur Rehman responded to remarks made during the debate and indicated that successful mediation would require flexibility from all sides.
Referring to Rana Sanaullah’s call for negotiations, he said new demands had emerged and warned that mediation would become difficult if the government maintained a rigid stance.
“If this is the government’s attitude, I cannot mediate,” Fazlur Rehman said.
