MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): The Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s (AJK) All Parties Conference (APC) concluded without reaching a consensus on the proposed elimination of 12 refugee seats in Muzaffarabad, and with the decision that the matter will be resolved through the Legislative Assembly.
Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir Faisal Mumtaz Rathore today chaired an important multiparty conference (MPC) at the Prime Minister’s House in Muzaffarabad, where leaders from all political parties in the state participated.
Opposition Leader and President of PML-N AJK Shah Ghulam Qadir, President of PPP AJK Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin, and President of Muslim Conference Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan, Former AJK PM Farooq Haider, former Presidents Sardar Muhammad Yaqub Khan and Sardar Masood Khan also attended the APC.
Other participants include former Prime Minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan, President of Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Party Sardar Hassan Ibrahim, and Secretary General of PML-N Chaudhry Tariq Farooq.
According to the resolution unanimously passed after the APC on Wednesday, political parties agreed that the matter related to the abolition of 12 Legislative Assembly seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees residing in Pakistan would now be taken up in the AJK Legislative Assembly.
According to sources, a formal session has also been summoned for tomorrow, where further progress is expected on the decisions and recommendations made in the APC.
The resolution mentioned that the “leaders of the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) were also invited to attend the meeting; however, they didn’t participate in this consultative and democratic process.”
Furthermore, the APC declared that “constitutional reforms are the exclusive authority and mandate of the elected representatives of the people; therefore, the matter of such reforms should be left to the Legislative Assembly,” the resolution stated.
However, before this, a broad-based consultative process should be initiated in consultation with all relevant stakeholders, including political parties, bar associations, Bar Council, civil society, and constitutional experts, it added.
“This meeting pays tribute to the eternal sacrifices of the refugees of Jammu and Kashmir for the Kashmir Freedom Movement and recognizes that the representation of refugees residing in Pakistan is a historical and constitutional reality.”
However, according to the resolution, the necessary reforms to remove some electoral complications and make them acceptable to political parties can be implemented through the Legislative Assembly in accordance with the Constitution.
AJK Assembly elections to be held on time
Moreover, the meeting reiterated that the elections to the AJK Legislative Assembly will be held on time as per the constitution and law.
“All necessary administrative, legal, and security measures will be ensured for free, transparent, fair, and peaceful elections so that the people can exercise their right to vote without any pressure or hindrance,” the resolution reads.
The political and religious parties agreed that any attempt to obstruct or sabotage the electoral process will be strictly prohibited in accordance with the law.
Talking to the media after the meeting, President PML-N Azad Kashmir Shah Ghulam Qadir said that the conference was held in a very pleasant and positive atmosphere.
He said a consensus was reached among the participants on several important points, and there was no ambiguity. He said that all matters will be brought to the public’s attention when official announcements are made.
Shah Ghulam Qadir added that the political parties had also wanted to convene an All Parties Conference earlier, but the leadership of the JAAC does not believe in the democratic system. He said that the Action Committee was also invited to participate in politics and contest elections, but they were not ready for that.
Former Prime Minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas said that the APC was hosted by the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, and they have been of the view from the first day that the power to make laws lies solely with the Legislative Assembly.
He said that the Assembly is a sacred and authoritative body and the right to make laws lies with it; no other party should have the authority to dictate to it.
Tanveer Ilyas added that the JAAC was also invited to the conference to sit with the leadership of the political parties and present their positions and demands, but they decided not to come.
