Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Tuesday called for a truth and reconciliation commission to help resolve weeks of political unrest in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking at a party workers' convention in Muzaffarabad, he said both the government and protesters should accept an independent inquiry to restore stability.
What did Bilawal propose to resolve the AJK unrest?
Bilawal said an independent commission should investigate the causes of the crisis and determine responsibility for the violence. He argued the dispute should be settled through an impartial process rather than continued confrontation. "The state and the protesters must accept this proposal," he said, adding that protesters should suspend demonstrations until the commission's findings are released.
Bilawal said he had advocated the proposal for the past month, but neither side had been willing to compromise. He warned that ordinary Kashmiris were paying the price for the prolonged standoff despite having no direct role in the dispute.
What did Bilawal say about the government's handling of the crisis?
Bilawal said the unrest could have been resolved peacefully and criticized the government's handling of the situation. He accused authorities of placing political considerations above the interests of the region. He also urged the government not to punish protesters without due process, saying any legal action should follow an independent investigation.
His remarks follow weeks of tension between the AJK administration and the Joint Awami Action Committee, which has led protests across the region over several issues. Among its central demands is the abolition of the 12 reserved seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly.
What did Bilawal say about the AJK elections?
Bilawal also questioned the conduct of the ongoing AJK Legislative Assembly elections. He said the state should prioritise national interests over those of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz. He alleged that concerns over the electoral process reflected a broader pattern rather than an isolated incident.
Thanking PPP supporters in Mirpur, Bilawal said the party had secured a public mandate in the district and pledged to protect voters' mandate.
According to unofficial and provisional results from the first phase of the AJK Legislative Assembly elections, PML-N won nine of the 13 contested constituencies, while PPP secured four seats.
Comments
See what people are discussing