MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): Chairman of the AJK ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, has proposed the establishment of a “Truth and Reconciliation Commission” to address the ongoing crisis in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
In response to the letter sent by the core committee of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), Bilawal described the continuing loss of life in the region, including the deaths reported on Tuesday, as a “national tragedy”.
Bilawal Bhutto said that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission should be constituted with the agreement of all concerned parties.
“The commission should be given a broad mandate to examine the present situation, establish the relevant facts, consider the grievances and positions of all sides, review the outstanding political, legal, and administrative questions, and recommend a just and lasting way forward,” the open letter sent by Bilawal to JAAC stated.
The former foreign minister added that if this proposal is acceptable to the government of Pakistan, the government of AJK, and the protestors, the PPP is ready to play its part to help resolve the current crisis.
In addition, he said that the life of every Kashmiri is precious, adding that the “death of a peaceful citizen cannot be treated as an acceptable consequence of political disagreement”, just as the life of every police and security official must also be protected.
Furthermore, Bhutto stated that the people of AJK have an unquestionable right to raise their political, economic, and constitutional grievances peacefully, adding that “peaceful protesters should not be indiscriminately labelled as terrorists, anti-Pakistan, or foreign agents merely for demanding their rights”.
At the same time, he stressed that “any allegations of violence against protesters or law enforcement personnel should be investigated individually, impartially, and in accordance with the law”.
The PPP chairman further wrote that the present confrontation cannot be resolved through force or inflammatory accusations. “Nor can commitments made in writing be allowed to disappear into competing claims about what has or has not been implemented.”
Moreover, the former foreign minister added that he has already opposed “statements questioning the Kashmiri identity” of the people of Rawalakot, adding that no one sitting in Islamabad has the right to determine who is or is not Kashmiri.
“The dignity and identity of the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir are not conditional upon their agreement with any government.”
In an open letter, he appealed to the JAAC to ensure that its “movement is peaceful and to cooperate in creating the space” required for immediate negotiations.
Clarifying his appeal, he said that it is not a request for surrender or silence, but an appeal to save lives while pursuing a just political settlement.
“Pakistan’s relationship with the people of Kashmir must be founded upon consent, dignity, democratic rights, and mutual respect. At this grave moment, our first responsibility is to prevent further bloodshed and restore trust through verifiable action,” the letter mentioned.
He, therefore, appealed to the Awami Action Committee to suspend its proposed long march and sit-ins once an agreement has been reached on the formation of the commission. Correspondingly, Bilawal said, the authorities should refrain from further measures pending the outcome of the truth and reconciliation commission.
