ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Azad Kashmir President and Leader of the Opposition Shah Ghulam Qadir on Monday issued a clarification on his remarks regarding the government’s decision to ban the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC).
Addressing a press conference earlier today at Kashmir House in Islamabad, Shah Ghulam Qadir said that the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) did not consult with PML-N before issuing the notification to proscribe the Action Committee.
Later in a post on Facebook, Qadir clarified his position, saying that his comments were taken out of context.
The opposition leader stated that his position was that the Azad Kashmir government had not consulted us [opposition] before issuing the notification declaring the Joint Awami Action Committee a banned organization.
“However, after the ban was imposed and we were informed of the facts, we supported the decision, and we continue to fully support it today,” he wrote.
It is pertinent to mention that the PML-N Azad Kashmir held an important meeting in Islamabad today, where they opposed the PPP’s demand to postpone the election, scheduled for July this year.
Addressing the reports after the meeting, Qadir said that the political situation in Azad Kashmir is in front of everyone, and we will continue to play our role to restore peace and order.
Shah Ghulam Qadir further dismissed the PPP’s claims that elections had been announced ahead of the actual timeframe, adding that statements regarding the election schedule were not based on accurate information
He noted that the term of the current Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly will expire on August 3 and, as per the constitution, elections must be held before August 4.
“The Election Commission issued the election schedule on June 5 and could not delay it any further,” he said.
The PML-N leader emphasized that his party could not support any move aimed at postponing the elections and remained committed to the democratic process.
He further lashes out at PPP, saying that if the party had consulted with us before declaring the JAAC proscribed, perhaps we would have accepted responsibility for the current situation in the region.
“If the PPP itself issued this notification, then they should also take responsibility for it,” he answered the reporter.
