ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari issued a stark warning on Sunday, asserting that the escalating unrest in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) is inflicting severe damage on the Kashmir cause while simultaneously tarnishing Pakistan’s international reputation. The violence, which has seen deadly clashes between law enforcement and members of a proscribed organization, is providing a strategic opportunity for hostile foreign actors to exploit, he said.
In a formal statement, the former foreign minister directly linked the internal turmoil to geopolitical adversaries. “The situation in AJK is providing an unnecessary opportunity for hostile elements and the India-Israel nexus to exploit,” Bilawal stated, framing the domestic security crisis as a direct threat to the country’s core diplomatic stance.
Proscribed Group and Escalating Violence
The crisis intensified after the AJK government formally designated the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) as a proscribed organization under the Anti-Terrorism Act on June 5. Authorities accused the group of engaging in terrorism. The ban was enforced just days before the outfit planned a protest demanding the abolition of 12 legislative seats reserved for refugees from Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) who migrated to Pakistan after 1947.
Violence peaked on June 8 when AJK police reported that deliberate firing by members of the banned outfit resulted in the martyrdom of four law enforcement personnel in Rawalakot. More than 20 police and security officials sustained injuries during the confrontation, marking a critical breakdown in public order.
Call for Political Reconciliation and Rule of Law
Bilawal emphasized that political grievances must be channeled through democratic institutions, rejecting violent agitation as a means of dispute resolution. “Political grievances and differences must be resolved through democratic, constitutional, and peaceful means. Parliament and the political process are the appropriate forums to address such issues,” he insisted.
To de-escalate tensions, the PPP chairman revealed that his party had already formally requested the Election Commission to withdraw the premature electoral schedule for the region. In a bid to heal long-standing divisions, Bilawal proposed the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission. “We are committed to achieving a political solution. Efforts will be made to this commission to address pending grievances and bring matters to a fair conclusion,” he said.
Surrender and Accountability
While extending an olive branch for political dialogue, Bilawal drew a hard line on the rule of law. He appealed to all protesters to end their demonstrations peacefully but demanded that those responsible for the violence face justice. “Those who have taken the law into their own hands should surrender themselves to local authorities and allow the legal process to take its course,” he directed.
He stressed that there could be no compromise on maintaining the rule of law and holding those involved in illegal actions accountable. However, he clarified that the government must ensure innocent citizens do not suffer collective punishment for the actions of armed groups.
External Financing Allegations
Bilawal’s statement aligns with recent claims from the Prime Minister’s Office regarding foreign interference. A day earlier, Rana Sanaullah, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs, alleged that external elements were actively financing the proscribed JAAC. Sanaullah claimed the banned outfit had rejected multiple offers aimed at a peaceful resolution and had introduced a new demand seeking the removal of a declaration stating that Kashmir would accede to Pakistan after independence—a mandatory undertaking for AJK Assembly elections.
Investigations, according to Sanaullah, revealed that members of the Pakistani diaspora in the United Kingdom were among the external actors channeling funds to the banned organization, adding a transnational layer to the security crisis.
