Kotli (Kashmir English): Former Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and head of the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party Azad Kashmir, Sardar Tanveer Ilyas, has demanded senate representation for Kashmir council that the six members of the council be given representation in Pakistan’s Senate.
Speaking to the media today, Sardar Tanveer Ilyas emphasised that a member of the Kashmir Council is elected with the votes of 12 to 15 members of the Legislative Assembly, and their position should not be undermined.
He shared these remarks during the visit to the residence of senior journalist Shehzad Ahmed Rathore, where he had come to offer condolences on the passing of Shehzad’s brother.
On the occasion, Ilyas alleged widespread corruption within the current government. He claimed that financial mismanagement involving billions of rupees was taking place and promised to disclose further details soon.
Sardar Tanveer strongly criticised the governance of AJK and Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir (PM AJK) Anwar-ul-Haq, calling his government a product of an international conspiracy against the region’s political system. He argued that national political parties are essential for a stable system and hinted at making an important political decision.
He reiterated that Pakistan’s Kashmir policy has remained unchanged over the years, with no plans for alteration. He also mentioned that green tourism and IT initiatives in AJK would be monitored by the Pakistan Army to ensure their success and to provide employment opportunities for the youth.
On political matters, he stated that he had advised Anwar-ul-Haq against a controversial presidential ordinance, warning that it would create further unrest. He also suggested that a political party should leave the government to strengthen the democratic process, a proposal he claimed PM AJK initially supported.
“Top leaders from PPP and PML-N had also agreed with his stance, and now that PML-N had withdrawn from the government, it was a positive development,” the former AJK PM reiterated.
He further criticised the government’s failure to hold by-elections for vacant local government seats and condemned its neglect of disabled individuals who staged a protest in Rawalakot for two and a half months without any official engagement.
He recalled that in the past, three advisers from the Kashmir Council would work directly with the Prime Minister of Pakistan to resolve AJK’s issues. He stated that if Kashmir Council members were given Senate representation, they could secure funds for AJK more effectively.
Regarding his recent meeting with Pakistan’s Army Chief on February 5 in Muzaffarabad, Sardar Tanveer stated that the Army Chief had made it clear that Pakistan’s Kashmir policy remains unchanged and will not be altered. He added that the Army Chief reassured that Pakistan and AJK are inseparable and that the Pakistan Army will oversee green tourism and IT projects in the region.
He concluded by addressing the public dissatisfaction with the current government, stating that during the Army Chief’s visit, people openly criticised Anwarul Haq’s administration. He claimed that the root cause of AJK’s problems was Anwar-ul-Haq himself and not Pakistan. Expressing regret for supporting him in the elections, he publicly apologised to the people of AJK, particularly those of the Bhimber constituency, for his past political decisions.
