AJK: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has called for the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate the recent unrest in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), saying political dialogue is the only way to restore peace and stability in the region.
Addressing a PPP workers’ convention in Muzaffarabad on Tuesday, Bilawal said the commission should independently examine the recent violence, identify those responsible, and recommend legal action through a transparent process. He stressed that accountability must be achieved under the law while ensuring justice for all those affected.
Speaking about the political situation in AJK, Bilawal congratulated PPP candidates on their performance in the recent elections, claiming the party had secured a clear public mandate, particularly in Mirpur. He alleged that attempts were made to influence the election results and accused the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) of repeating tactics used in previous elections to manipulate the outcome.
Bilawal questioned why the elections were conducted in phases, arguing that the staggered polling process created opportunities for irregularities. He also expressed concern over attacks on nearly 30 polling stations despite extensive security arrangements. According to him, a PPP worker lost his life during the election process, while some polling stations were allegedly occupied by force.
The PPP chairman said the people of Azad Kashmir had rejected political conspiracies against his party and urged state institutions to place Pakistan’s national interest above political considerations. He maintained that the PPP would continue supporting the federal government on issues of national importance but would oppose any policy designed to benefit a particular political party.
Referring to the recent protests in AJK, Bilawal said the crisis could have been resolved through negotiations instead of confrontation. While acknowledging that mistakes were made during the demonstrations, he insisted that both the authorities and protesters should now focus on reconciliation rather than escalating tensions.
He warned that continued confrontation would only increase the suffering of ordinary citizens and weaken public confidence in democratic institutions.
Reiterating his stance, Bilawal declared that Pakistan would never allow Azad Jammu and Kashmir to become “another occupied Kashmir” and called on all political stakeholders to work together to restore peace, uphold democratic values, and protect the constitutional and democratic rights of the people of AJK.
