PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari says unrest in Azad Jammu and Kashmir is damaging Pakistan’s international image and weakening its diplomatic position on the Kashmir dispute, while urging dialogue and reconciliation to restore stability.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has warned that escalating unrest in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) is harming Pakistan’s international reputation and weakening its long-standing diplomatic narrative on the Kashmir issue.
His remarks came amid fresh tensions in Rawalakot, where security forces and individuals reportedly linked to the recently banned Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC) exchanged fire. Officials said security vehicles near the Eidgah area were struck by more than 30 bullets during the confrontation.
In a strongly worded statement, Bilawal cautioned that continued instability could create opportunities for hostile actors and foreign intelligence networks to exploit internal divisions. He argued that the unrest was not only affecting law and order but also damaging Pakistan’s position on the global stage regarding Kashmir.
Calling for an immediate peaceful resolution, the PPP chairman stressed that political disputes should be addressed through constitutional and democratic mechanisms rather than street agitation. He proposed the creation of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate long-standing grievances and promote political healing in the region.
Bilawal also revealed that the PPP had formally requested the AJK Election Commission to withdraw an early election schedule in an effort to reduce political tensions. He suggested that recent government actions against protesters could be reviewed if all stakeholders reached a broader consensus.
The statement comes after the AJK government declared JKJAAC a proscribed organization and restored 177 previously withdrawn FIRs against protesters, further intensifying the political climate.
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