RAWALPINDI (Kashmir English): A rally was held in Rawalpindi on Wednesday against the Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee’s (JAAC) demand to eliminate 12 seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees in the Azad Kashmir Assembly.
The rally, organized by the refugees from across the Line of Control (LoC) residing in Pakistan, saw participation from scores of people and leaders, including Hurriyat leader Tariq Lone.
Tariq Lone stated that the Awami Action Committee’s demand to eliminate the 12 seats is part of a specific agenda that would harm the Kashmir issue.
He emphasized that migrants residing in Pakistan strongly condemn this demand.
Lone alleged that eliminating the seats would weaken the Kashmir issue and undermine the representation of 2.5 million refugees living in Pakistan who are entitled to participate in the Jammu and Kashmir plebiscite.
He cited the UN Charter, which states that the 2.5 million refugees living in Pakistan will decide whether they want to stay with Pakistan or form an independent state.
Lone questioned who would be responsible for the plebiscite if the representation of these refugees is removed.
The migrants have expressed willingness to solve public problems but vowed to strongly resist any attempts to eliminate their representation in the Azad Kashmir Assembly.
