ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) Azad Jammu and Kashmir has demanded the Election Commission to withdraw the election schedule.
The demand was made by Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin, President of the Pakistan Peoples’ Party Azad Jammu and Kashmir, while addressing a crowded press conference at Jammu Kashmir House after a meeting of the party’s core committee.
Also present on the occasion were Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan, Parliamentary Leader in the Legislative Assembly, Most Senior Minister Mian Waheed, government ministers Sardar Javed Ayub, Javed Iqbal Buddhanvi, Sardar Zia-ul-Qamar, Chaudhry Qasim Majeed, Chaudhry Yasir Sultan, Ms. Taqdees Geelani, Prime Minister’s Spokesperson Shaukat Javed Mir, DG Political Affairs Aamir Zeeshan Jarral, Political Assistant Syed Azadar Hussain Kazmi, Sahibzada Zulfiqar Ali, and Shaheen Kausar Dar.
Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin stated that negotiations and political consensus are indispensable to address the challenges facing the state and to de-escalate tensions.
“The core of the Peoples Party’s politics has always been the Kashmir issue, and Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto played a historic role in highlighting the Kashmir cause at the international level.”
He said that during the past seven months, extensive efforts were made to resolve public issues and stabilize the democratic system, and 37 out of 38 demands of the Public Action Committee had been implemented.
“Only the constitutional matter regarding refugee seats was under consideration, for which alternative legal and constitutional avenues exist.”
Chaudhry Yasin said that issuing the election schedule for refugee seats just three days before the protest call was not an appropriate decision.
He informed that all parties adopted a positive attitude during the negotiation process, and only a week’s grace period was requested from the Public Action Committee, but this request was not accepted.
“Holding elections seems difficult”
He stated that holding elections seems difficult under current circumstances, so the Election Commission should withdraw the election schedule and advance the consultation process.
He clarified that the Pakistan Peoples’ Party does not support any confrontation or conflict, adding the 12 refugee seats cannot be more valuable than human lives.
He said that in the current situation, hostile forces, especially India, might try to exploit the situation, so all political forces should demonstrate responsibility.
He said that there is a shortage of food items in Azad Kashmir, and the state is currently facing severe difficulties and uncertainty.
“Therefore, the solution to all problems lies in negotiations, political harmony, and the continuation of the democratic process.”
Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan, Parliamentary Leader in the Legislative Assembly, said that all stakeholders should play their part to make the situation conducive.
“Elections are not more important than human lives, and hasty, unwise decisions have led to the current situation.”
He said that the Peoples’ Party believes in democratic values and supports considering the peaceful demands of the people. He emphasized that it is extremely necessary to immediately withdraw the election schedule and pave the way for reconciliation.
On this occasion, Senior Minister Mian Abdul Waheed said that saving the state is the most important need in the current circumstances, and added Azad Kashmir cannot afford further tension and conflict.
He urged all parties to find an acceptable solution to the problem through immediate negotiations.
He said that Pakistan and Kashmir cannot be separated from each other.
Mian Abdul Waheed said that, “Martyrs and victims are all our own, so political parties, the public, and overseas Kashmiris should demonstrate unity and solidarity to prevent the situation from deteriorating further”.
He stressed that despite political differences, the state’s interest should be prioritized, and the path of negotiations, understanding, and consultation should be adopted to resolve the current crisis.
He said that there is still time for all parties to sit together and find a solution to the problem, and elections should be postponed in view of the current situation.
