Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari Urges End to Azad Jammu and Kashmir Protests, Citing National Reputation Damage

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Sunday called for an end to ongoing protests in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). He stated that the continued unrest is detrimental to the Kashmiri cause and Pakistan's international reputation, especially as global attention is currently on the region following the imminent signing of a Pakistan-mediated peace pact between the United States and Iran.

The former foreign minister also warned that the unrest provides an opportunity for "hostile actors and the India-Israel nexus to exploit the situation." He urged protestors to conclude their demonstrations peacefully and called on individuals who have broken the law to surrender to authorities.

The protests in AJK have been led by supporters of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), which was recently declared a proscribed organization by the AJK government on June 5. The JAAC and the AJK administration have been in dispute over various issues, including the committee's demand to eliminate 12 seats in the region’s Legislative Assembly. These seats are reserved for refugees from Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir who settled in mainland Pakistan after 1947.

Bhutto-Zardari, whose PPP is in government in AJK, stressed that political grievances should be resolved through "democratic, constitutional, and peaceful means," asserting that "Parliament and the political process — not the streets — are the appropriate forums" for such matters. He reiterated the PPP's call for the AJK Election Commission to withdraw its "premature election schedule" for polls set for July 27.

The PPP chairman also suggested establishing a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to address grievances and ensure a just and lasting resolution, aiming to prevent recurring cycles of protest and uncertainty for the people of Kashmir. He indicated that if all stakeholders, including the federal government, agree, the AJK government could review notifications related to the protesting parties, while upholding the rule of law.

Following its proscription, AJK authorities launched a crackdown on the JAAC, leading to arrests of leaders and activists. As of Saturday, two sit-ins by JAAC activists continued near Rawalakot for a fourth consecutive day, while most towns in Muzaffarabad Division and other areas observed a shutdown, with public transport suspended for a fifth day. Mobile phone services in Rawalakot were suspended, and internet services had been down for eight days, impacting students and freelancers. Reports also indicated the administration had seized businesses of key JAAC activists.

According to Dawn Pakistan, the AJK government had declared the JAAC a proscribed organization after it announced a June 9 strike, citing its engagement in "terrorism" and actions "prejudicial to peace and security" of the state.