DADYAL: Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has called for Defence Minister Khawaja Asif to be removed from the federal cabinet and asked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to clarify whether the minister’s remarks on Kashmir represent official government policy.
Addressing a public rally in Dadyal, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Bilawal questioned whether the federal government endorsed the defence minister’s position and said the prime minister must publicly explain Islamabad’s policy on Kashmir.
“If you do not recognise Kashmiris as Kashmiris, you have no right to remain a minister,” he said while criticising remarks attributed to members of the federal cabinet.
Bilawal launched the PPP’s campaign ahead of the July 27 Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections, describing the polls as a crucial test for both Kashmir and Pakistan.
Bilawal Urges Government to Reopen Azad Kashmir
The PPP chairman also criticised restrictions and disruptions affecting ordinary residents of Azad Kashmir, saying an entire population should not be punished for the actions of a limited number of protesters.
He said individuals responsible for violence or unlawful activity should be identified and prosecuted, but collective punishment was unjustified.
Bilawal urged both the government and protest organisers to avoid measures that caused hardship for ordinary Kashmiris, including disruptions to food supplies, businesses and daily life.
Referring to Pakistan’s role in regional diplomacy, he said that if the state could help address major international disputes, it should also be able to reopen Azad Kashmir and restore normal life for its residents. His remarks came amid ongoing political unrest and restrictions in the region.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission Proposed
Bilawal said he had proposed the establishment of a truth and reconciliation commission to investigate the causes of the current crisis and help bring the government and protesters towards a peaceful settlement.
He said protesters should suspend their campaign if such a commission were formed, while the government should also provide relief to residents until the inquiry completed its work.
The PPP leader maintained that no political or constitutional dispute was beyond resolution through dialogue and peaceful democratic processes.
He also stressed that maintaining the writ of the state remained the government’s responsibility, but said enforcement measures must not deprive the public of food, employment or essential services.
‘Most Important Elections in AJK History’
Bilawal described the upcoming Azad Kashmir elections as among the most important in the region’s history and urged voters to give the PPP a mandate to represent them in Islamabad and internationally.
He acknowledged that political leaders had not adequately conveyed the concerns of Kashmiris to the federal capital and promised to serve as their voice if the PPP secured electoral support.
“Politicians must bridge the distance between the people and the capital,” he said, adding that the concerns of Kashmiris should be heard in Islamabad and on international forums.
Bilawal Reaffirms Support for Kashmir Rights
The former foreign minister said the PPP’s manifesto included the right to ownership, governance and employment for the people of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
He said constitutional changes must be made through consultation in representative institutions rather than imposed through force or street pressure.
Bilawal maintained that only the people of Kashmir had the right to decide their political future and said reforms should strengthen their role in decisions affecting the region.
He also proposed holding a constitutional convention after the elections to consider public recommendations on refugee seats, voting rights and institutional representation.
The PPP chairman suggested that Azad Kashmir should have a representative responsible for foreign affairs who could sit in Pakistan’s National Assembly and raise issues concerning the region.
He pledged that the PPP would resist any attempt to weaken the rights of the people of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Criticism of Federal Ministers
Bilawal alleged that another federal minister had claimed that 12 Kashmir-related electoral seats were already secured, saying such remarks disrespected voters and undermined the democratic process.
He said election results were not in the pocket of any minister or political party but would be decided by Kashmir’s voters, particularly its young people.
The PPP chairman demanded accountability from federal ministers whose comments, he said, had caused anger among Kashmiris.
He again called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to state clearly whether Khawaja Asif’s remarks reflected the policy of the federal government.
Also Read: PPP Chairman Says Armed Forces Are a Red Line, Calls for Peaceful Resolution of AJK Crisis
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