ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Senior politicians from Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Monday called for a peaceful and dignified political resolution to the ongoing crisis in the Poonch division.
A consultative meeting was held at Mujahid Manzil, the residence of Muslim Conference President and former AJK prime minister Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan, a press release said.
The participants expressed deep concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in Azad Kashmir, particularly in Poonch division, and stressed the need for a peaceful political solution to the crisis.
Reaffirming the region’s commitment to accession to Pakistan, the participants referred to the resolution adopted by the Muslim Conference on July 19, 1947, at the residence of Ghazi-e-Millat Sardar Muhammad Ibrahim Khan. They said the relationship and solidarity between Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan would be maintained.
“No compromise on AJK’s internal autonomy”
The meeting also stressed that there would be no compromise on the internal autonomy of AJK, any change in its existing status, the powers acquired by the independent government under the 1974 Constitution, and the state’s identity.
Moreover, the participants demanded the uninterrupted movement of goods and information, measures to ensure the supply of food and medicines, and immediate restoration of internet services in Poonch division.
They also demanded that the people and voters of the division be included in the electoral process without delay.
The politicians further urged the “organizers of the sit-in and protesters to fully respect the constitution, laws, social values and traditions of Azad Kashmir and to avoid any direct or indirect act that violates them.”
In addition, the meeting emphasized the need to resolve the Kashmir issue in accordance with United Nations resolutions and expressed full and complete solidarity with the Kashmir freedom movement.
It also expressed full solidarity with the Hurriyat leaders imprisoned in Indian jails and in occupied Kashmir, demanding their unconditional release.
The participants fully agreed to continue the consultative process.
The meeting was attended by former President and PM AJK Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan, President PML-N AJK Shah Ghulam Qadir, former PM AJK Raja Farooq Haider Khan, Opposition Leader and President PPP AJK Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin, former PM and President IPP AJK Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan, former Ameers of Jamaat-e-Islami AJK Abdul Rashid Turabi and Dr. Khalid Mahmood.
