Requires categorising these contributing to Kashmir trigger, says accession remarks weaken Pakistan’s stance
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Wednesday stood by his latest contentious remarks on Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), calling for a transparent distinction between those that had made sacrifices for the Kashmir trigger and those that had not.
In a tv interview, Asif mentioned Rawalakot — which has seen protests led by the Joint Awami Motion Committee (JAAC) — was “not Kashmir” and that he didn’t regard its residents as Kashmiris. He later clarified the remarks on X, saying that “Kashmiriat is outlined by the sacrifices and struggles waged over nearly eight a long time” by Pakistanis, Kashmiris and others, “not by beginning certificates”.
The controversy spilt over to the Nationwide Meeting earlier within the day, the place PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and PPP MNA Raja Pervaiz Ashraf slammed Asif for his remarks.
Learn: Asif warns in opposition to ‘anti-Pak agenda’ in AJK
Responding to the criticism on non-public tv programme Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath, the minister resolutely mentioned: “Bilawal is entitled to say something, I haven’t got any reservation over it, that is the fantastic thing about democracy. When politicians criticise each other on the ground of the meeting and even within the media, I imagine it’s a signal of the system’s success.
“I welcome the criticism and relaxation my perspective — proper or unsuitable however proper for my part — I stand by it.”
He criticised the actions of the JAAC in AJK and accused its members of mistreating our bodies.
“Members of the motion committee not solely prompted the deaths of individuals but in addition desecrated their our bodies. After that, one of many committee’s members mentioned that whereas our bodies are returned from Balochistan, we won’t return these our bodies from Kashmir,” he mentioned
The minister additionally criticised the committee’s demand to take away references to AJK’s accession to Pakistan from official provisions.
“If such voices start to emerge from our aspect of Kashmir, it undermines our place on a plebiscite. Such statements are benefiting India.”
Reiterating his place on the difficulty of language, Asif mentioned he stood by his earlier remarks and maintained that the language spoken in components of AJK differed from Kashmiri spoken within the Valley.
“The difficulty of language is solely totally different. The language spoken in some components of Punjab can also be spoken in sure areas of Azad Kashmir. Kashmiri, nevertheless, is a very totally different language that’s spoken within the Valley and in lots of components of Azad Kashmir.”
“Those that migrated from there converse that language, however in areas adjoining Punjab, Kashmiri is just not spoken. As an alternative, the language of Pakistan’s Potohar area is spoken there.”
Additionally Learn: Bilawal, Fazl slam Khawaja Asif over AJK remarks throughout heated NA session
The defence minister mentioned there ought to be a transparent categorisation between those that had made sacrifices, those that continued to take action and those that had migrated and have been residing elsewhere.
“I imagine categorisation is my proper and in addition the correct of these people who find themselves nonetheless making sacrifices in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.”
Referring to the difficulty of reserved seats for migrants, Asif accused unnamed political forces of backing protesting parts for political good points.
He mentioned some events believed {that a} bigger variety of seats in Punjab might enhance their political affect, describing the matter as “all politics”.
Requested about Fazl, who was approached by the JAAC to mediate with the federal government, the minister mentioned he revered the veteran politician’s function.
“I respect Maulana’s politics. If his efforts may also help discover a resolution, it’s for the federal government to resolve. Personally, I’ve no objection to Maulana’s mediation.”
Asif additionally expressed assist for resolving points via negotiations.
“I imagine in dialogue, however on the identical time, I additionally imagine in expressing my views. Whether or not somebody agrees with them or not, I respect their opinion.”
Responding to a query relating to Fazl’s name for protesters to finish their sit-in, the minister mentioned he had no objection to contacts between the JUI-F chief, the federal government and political teams in AJK.
“If there are talks with maulana, whether or not by our occasion or by political parts inside Kashmir, who am I to object?”
Background
The latest unrest and lethal clashes broke out in areas, together with Rawalakot, the place the JAAC had been holding a sit-in exterior the Mixed Army Hospital Rawalakot. AJK police allege that armed JAAC members opened hearth on deployed legislation enforcement in a deliberate assault, leaving 4 personnel useless and round 20 injured. JAAC, nevertheless, disputes this account, claiming safety forces used tear gasoline and fired shells towards the hospital.
In response to the AJK police, three people linked to the JAAC and 4 legislation enforcement personnel have been killed through the protests. JAAC, nevertheless, mentioned in a press release on X that seven people have been killed and dozens have been injured when road firing was carried out at nighttime after electrical energy was allegedly lower off.
The conflict got here because the AJK authorities and the JAAC witnessed a face-off, because the election date for AJK was introduced for July 27.
Learn Extra: Sure parts in search of to create instability in AJK regardless of repeated provides of dialogue: Rana Sanaullah
AJK’s 53-member legislative meeting consists of 12 seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees — individuals who fled Indian-controlled Kashmir in 1947 and 1965 and at the moment are scattered throughout Pakistan. Six seats signify refugees from the Jammu division (~434,000 individuals) and 6 from the Kashmir Valley (~30,000 individuals) — an already lopsided association that many see as unfair.
The area witnessed one in all its most turbulent durations in October final 12 months when protests led by the JAAC erupted over calls for for constitutional and governance reforms. Not less than 9 individuals, together with three policemen, have been killed through the unrest.
The JAAC, which organised the protests and strike, had offered a wide-ranging constitution of calls for, together with an finish to the privileges loved by the ruling elite, the abolition of 12 meeting seats reserved for refugees, and the scrapping of the quota system.
Two days after the violence, the federal government and the JAAC reached an settlement masking 12 core and 13 further factors. Underneath the accord, each side agreed to represent a high-level committee to look at the difficulty of refugee seats within the AJK Legislative Meeting
