Bilawal to meet PM Shehbaz over AJK situation, calls for dialogue to resolve crisis

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Sunday expressed concern over the prevailing political situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), saying he would meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss the matter and seek a resolution through dialogue.

“I will meet with PM Shehbaz, and the resolution of issues will be extracted from the assembly through dialogue,” Bilawal said while addressing a meeting of the PPP AJK Parliamentary Party in Islamabad.

The meeting was attended by PPP AJK political affairs in-charge and PPP Women’s Wing Central President Faryal Talpur, along with members of the party’s parliamentary group from AJK.

According to a statement issued by the PPP media cell, the participants reviewed the political situation in AJK and held consultations on recent developments in the region. Members of the parliamentary party presented suggestions regarding the situation.

Expressing concern over the situation in AJK, the PPP chairman said, “The People’s Party was founded on the issue of Kashmir, and we have always prioritised the resolution of the problems of the people of Kashmir.”

Read: Tariq Fazal rejects JAAC claims of inaction, says most agreement commitments fulfilled

He stressed that political matters should be resolved through negotiations.

The statement came a day after police arrested around 72 individuals allegedly affiliated with the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) following the AJK government’s decision to ban the organisation. The government accused the JAAC of involvement in terrorism, promoting hatred and creating anarchy in the state ahead of a protest announced for June 9.

Army, Rangers to be deployed for AJK polls: CEC

Meanwhile, Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal said all necessary measures would be taken to ensure free, fair and transparent elections to be held on July 27, adding that the code of conduct would be implemented strictly and without discrimination.

“No relaxation in rules will be granted to any candidate or political party,” he said during a meeting of election officials.

Mughal said the 2016 elections were the most transparent in Azad Kashmir’s history and maintained that the judiciary enjoyed the highest level of public trust. He directed that polling schemes and the appointment of presiding officers be carried out with complete transparency.

He also instructed election officials to perform their duties impartially and in accordance with the law and relevant regulations.

Also Read: AJK general elections to be held on July 27, Election Commission announces

Regarding election security, the chief election commissioner said the army and Rangers would be deployed during the polls, adding that the protection of election results and records would be ensured under all circumstances.

Election Commission member Syed Nazirul Hassan Gilani said the judiciary and defence institutions were centres of public confidence and that the judiciary’s role was of key importance in ensuring transparent elections.

Election Commission Secretary Raja Shakeel Khan informed the meeting that district returning officers and returning officers would be provided full security.

During the meeting, district returning officers and returning officers also presented proposals aimed at making the electoral process more effective.