Bilawal questions why he still remained in cabinet, Fazl says such statements will only inflame tensions
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Fazlur Rehman criticised Defence Minister Khawaja Asif over his remarks about Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) during a heated session of the National Assembly on Wednesday.
In a television interview, Asif said Rawalakot — which has seen protests led by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) — was "not Kashmir". that he did not regard its residents as Kashmiris. He later clarified the remarks on X, saying that "Kashmiriat is defined by the sacrifices. struggles waged over almost eight decades" by Pakistanis, Kashmiris and others, "not by birth certificates".
While addressing the NA during debate on the federal budget. Bilawal said, "There are certain ministers whose politics I do not understand. Instead of helping the prime minister, they create problems for him."
The PPP chairman went on to say that every coalition partner, every member of the opposition. every citizen of Pakistan should ask "why such a minister is still in the cabinet," he said, adding: "How is it possible for us to accept that a federal minister can say that the Kashmiris of Rawalakot are not Kashmiris?"
Bilawal said Pakistan's political parties needed to work together at a time of significant regional and international change. "Where Pakistan stands today,. given everything that is happening geopolitically, if all political parties unite and decide that we will collectively confront Pakistan's challenges, then we can secure the political, economic and strategic dividends that these opportunities offer," he said.
The PPP chairman said PM Shehbaz wanted to move the country forward in consultation with coalition partners. the opposition, arguing that many national problems could only be resolved through dialogue. "Problems can only be solved through negotiations and dialogue," he said.
Bilawal said criticism of statements made at rallies or protests was legitimate,. argued that the comments of a serving federal minister carried a different weight. "If he is not prepared to apologise, then what justification do we have for sitting alongside that minister?" he asked.
While expressing respect for PM Shehbaz, Prime Minister's Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah. former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's longstanding association with the Kashmir cause, Bilawal said a minister's remarks had worsened an already sensitive situation.
"Instead of extinguishing the fire, it was like pouring oil on it," he said.
Bilawal also referred to remarks allegedly made by a minister regarding AJK elections. saying such statements had provided political space for unrest. "If a minister says that we bring 12 seats in our pocket. then how can we object when people react to such statements?" he said.
Calling for a political solution to the dispute, Bilawal suggested: "As your coalition partner, is that we should give the space to engage with the federal government, the AJK government. the protesters so that this process reaches a conclusion and the people of Kashmir do not have to protest again and again."
Read:AJK govt asks JAAC leaders to surrender, assures due legal process
He said all stakeholders should pursue "a political path" that would help protect the Kashmir cause while easing tensions.
The PPP chairman then turned his attention to local government issues, particularly in Karachi, accusing some members of the federal coalition, specifically Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P), of misleading their allies. directing criticism towards the PPP instead of addressing grievances within the federal government.
"Your problem is not with the PPP," he said, addressing lawmakers from Karachi. "The people creating problems for you are your own cabinet colleagues."
He alleged that coalition partners were being offered "lollipops" instead of meaningful solutions. urged them to hold federal ministers accountable for unfulfilled commitments.
"How long will you continue to survive on lollipops?" he asked.
Bilawal defended the PPP government's record on local government. arguing that Sindh was currently the only province where a functioning local government system was in place. "Where the PPP is in government, there is a local government system. Where the PML-N is in government, they are afraid even to hold a union council election," he said.
He challenged political opponents to implement in Lahore the same local government model that existed in Karachi. called for local government elections to be held in Punjab and Islamabad before any constitutional amendments were considered.
The PPP chairman also pledged. local government elections would be held in Gilgit-Baltistan within 90 days if a new government was formed there with PPP participation.
Concluding his speech, Bilawal urged lawmakers to pass the budget before Ashura and avoid unnecessary political confrontation. "I also want the prime minister to succeed because if the prime minister succeeds, Pakistan succeeds," he said.
"In my personal view, this is not the time to focus on our political differences. This is the time for us to unite and find solutions to Pakistan's problems."
The JUI-F chief also addressed the house. criticised the government's handling of the situation in AJK, questioned remarks made by the defence minister and warned against what he described as the political involvement of state institutions.
Fazl said he had responded to a letter from the JAAC through a video message. had also informed the government of his position. "I welcome the decision of the Awami Action Committee to postpone tomorrow's march towards Muzaffarabad," he said. referring to planned protests in AJK.
The JUI-F chief questioned the state's response to recent developments, asking, "How can action taken on the basis of speeches be considered an appropriate response?" "Until yesterday, we were speaking about human rights in Indian Illegally occupied Jammu. Kashmir (IIOJK). What are we doing today?" he added.
"The things Khawaja Asif has said should not have been said by a defence minister," he told lawmakers. In an apparent reference to the government's approach to the crisis, he remarked, "You have entrusted the conflict to Khawaja Asif. the reconciliation to Ishaq Dar."
While acknowledging the government's diplomatic efforts abroad, Fazl argued that, "At the international level, the government is earning goodwill through efforts for global peace,. Pakistan is losing goodwill at home," he said.
The JUI-F chief also criticised the use of security forces in internal matters. saying, "Pakistan's army should be on the borders; instead, it is being used within the country."
He warned that statements such as those made by the defence minister would only inflame tensions. Fazl also pointed to his party's recent public gathering in Charsadda, claiming it had attracted hundreds of thousands of people.
Addressing the role of institutions in politics, the JUI-F chief said his party respected the military, the establishment. all state institutions, "But if they change election results, then we will respond."
"If they engage in politics, we will answer them in politics," he added. Fazl rejected calls for silence on such matters, saying, "We are not mute. We will not become silent devils."
He further argued that if institutions used taxpayers' money for political purposes. elected representatives had a duty to raise the issue in parliament.
The recent unrest anddeadly clashesbroke out in areas. including Rawalakot, where the JAAC had been holding a sit-in outside the Combined Military Hospital Rawalakot. AJK police allege that armed JAAC members opened fire on deployed law enforcement in a planned attack, leaving four personnel dead. around 20 injured. JAAC, however, disputes this account, claiming security forces used tear gas and fired shells toward the hospital.
According to the AJK police, three individuals linked to the JAAC and four law enforcementpersonnelwere killed during the protests. JAAC, however, said in a statement on X that seven individuals were killed. dozens were injured when street firing was carried out in the dark after electricity was allegedly cut off.
The clash came as the AJK government. the JAAC witnessed a face-off, as the election date for AJK was announced for July 27.
Read More:Certain elements seeking to create instability in AJK despite repeated offers of dialogue: Rana Sanaullah
AJK's 53-member legislative assembly includes 12 seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees — people who fled Indian-controlled Kashmir in 1947. 1965 and are now scattered across Pakistan. Six seats represent refugees from the Jammu division (~434,000 people). six from the Kashmir Valley (~30,000 people) — an already lopsided arrangement that many see as unfair.
The region witnessed one of its most turbulent periods in October last year when protests led by the JAAC erupted over demands for constitutional. governance reforms. At leastnine people, including three policemen, were killed during the unrest.
The JAAC, which organised the protests. strike, had presented a wide-ranging charter of demands, including an end to the privileges enjoyed by the ruling elite, the abolition of 12 assembly seats reserved for refugees, and the scrapping of the quota system.
Two days after the violence, the government and the JAACreached an agreementcovering 12 core and 13 additional points. Under the accord. both sides agreed to constitute a high-level committee to examine the issue of refugee seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly
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**Author: Maulana Fazlur Rehman**
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