rki.news
Altaf Hamid Rao
MIRPUR (AJK), Aug. 7 (APP): Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has called for immediate dialogue and the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to address the ongoing challenges in Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK).
Addressing an election rally in Bagh, AJK, Bilawal said the region was passing through one of the most difficult phases in its history, with the people of Poonch Division facing serious hardships. He said prolonged closure of internet services and roads had created difficulties for residents.
The PPP chairman said his party had consistently advocated resolving issues through dialogue or through a Truth and Reconciliation Commission. He welcomed the AJK Assembly resolution calling for an end to tensions and urged all stakeholders, including protesters and security forces, to follow it.
Bilawal said the situation had reached a critical stage where both security personnel and civilians were losing their lives. He stressed that restoring peace required political engagement, understanding and a collective approach from all stakeholders.
He said free and fair elections were essential for ensuring genuine public representation and strengthening democratic institutions. Criticizing the phased election process in AJK, he questioned whether the elections had actually achieved the objective of peace and stability.
Bilawal said the PPP had introduced a new manifesto aimed at addressing the concerns of the Kashmiri people. He emphasized that the people of AJK should have the right to governance, ownership of resources and employment opportunities.
He said Kashmir could not become a symbol of progress unless its people benefited from their own resources and participated fully in decision-making processes. According to him, democracy and public participation were necessary for lasting development.
The PPP chairman accused political forces of ignoring public aspirations and said votes should be counted fairly instead of being influenced. He maintained that the people were the true source of power and their mandate must be respected.
Bilawal also highlighted broader national and regional challenges, saying Pakistan was facing economic pressures, security concerns and difficult relations with neighboring countries. He said this was not the time for internal political disputes but for unity and cooperation.
He urged the government, opposition parties and all stakeholders to work together in confronting challenges facing the country and the region.
Reaffirming his party’s position, Bilawal said the PPP believed in consensus-based politics and decisions reflecting the wishes of the people. He said any proposal regarding administrative changes or new provinces should be based on public consent.
He concluded that the PPP would continue following the vision of its founding leaders by advocating the rights of the people of Kashmir and Pakistan, including the right to governance, ownership and employment.