ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Wednesday strongly criticised Defence Minister Khawaja Asif for his controversial remarks about the residents of Rawalakot and Mirpur in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), calling the comments irresponsible and damaging to the Kashmir cause.
Speaking in the National Assembly, Bilawal said some federal ministers were creating unnecessary challenges for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif instead of supporting the government’s efforts to address sensitive political issues.
“There are some ministers who, instead of assisting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, end up creating more difficulties,” Bilawal remarked, stressing that public statements made by cabinet members should reflect responsibility and political maturity.
Referring specifically to the situation in AJK, the PPP chairman questioned why a minister who had made such remarks continued to remain part of the federal cabinet.
“Why is a minister still in the cabinet who says that the people of Rawalakot are not Kashmiris? How can a defence minister of a country make such a statement?” he asked.
Bilawal argued that issues concerning Kashmir required careful handling and constructive dialogue, warning that inflammatory statements could worsen existing tensions rather than help resolve them.
“These statements are like pouring oil on fire instead of extinguishing it,” he said, adding that political disputes should be addressed through dialogue and democratic means.
The PPP chairman also criticised Khawaja Asif for not issuing an apology following the backlash over his comments. He questioned how the government could justify remarks that had sparked controversy and concern among residents of Azad Kashmir.
Urging Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to exercise greater oversight of his cabinet, Bilawal said the government should focus on preserving national unity and protecting the Kashmir narrative.
“We should not damage the Kashmir cause. These matters should be handled politically,” he stated.
Bilawal further suggested that Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman could play a constructive role in helping ease political tensions and facilitate dialogue.
The controversy emerged after Khawaja Asif, during a recent interview, reportedly stated that residents of Rawalakot and Mirpur were not “true Kashmiris,” claiming that many locals spoke Potohari rather than Kashmiri. The remarks triggered political criticism and renewed debate over identity and representation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
