ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Prime Minister (PM) Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq has stated that he is ready to negotiate on public demands, but he will not allow anyone to challenge the writ of the state, nor will he dissolve the assembly. However, if the assembly asks him to, he will resign.
In an interview, Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq said, “We are ready to accept every legitimate demand of the Awami Action Committee, but if anyone thinks they can impose their will through mob rule, that is not possible.
“If the Joint Awami Action Committee has no link with the Indian cipher, then why are they upset?”
Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq said, “I will not dissolve the assembly under any circumstances. However, if the members of the Azad Kashmir Assembly want me not to be in office, 27 of them simply sit together and have tea with me, I will go home myself.”
He said the former Prime Minister should return the official vehicle instead of offering to forgo privileges.
He said that a former Prime Minister has offered to forgo privileges, adding, “I believe that instead of making such an offer, he should return the official vehicle”.
The public is getting electricity at Rs3 per unit and flour at Rs2,000 per maund, but the credit for this is being taken by the Awami Action Committee.
Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq said that the Action Committee is demanding the abolition of seats for Kashmiri refugees in the Azad Kashmir Assembly, but after India’s action on August 5, 2019, if the Azad Kashmir government takes such a step, it would be a severe blow to the Kashmir freedom movement.
After the success of Operation ‘Bunyan un Marsoos’, India is facing international humiliation, and now it even refuses to shake hands on the sports field. In this environment, we should take steps that further improve the image of the state of Pakistan, the PM said.
He said the privileges of Azad Kashmir Assembly members are the lowest in the region.
He said that a member and minister of the Azad Kashmir Assembly receive the lowest salary and privileges not only in Pakistan but also in the region.
Regarding the judiciary’s privileges, which the Awami Action Committee talks about, the PM said, “I cannot abolish them through any notification because the interim constitution of Azad Kashmir states that the judiciary of Azad Kashmir will have privileges equal to those of Pakistan’s judiciary.”
Action Committee not people’s representative: PM
In response to a question, Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq said that the Action Committee is not representative of the people, and if these people are keen to be representatives of the people, then they should come and register as a political party in the elections and participate.
A joint resolution has been passed in the Azad Kashmir Assembly to convey the message that the state system will not be allowed to be held hostage, the PM added.
He said a historic defence agreement has been signed between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. “At this time, the people of the Action Committee should talk about it, but they do not come to that side.”
