Bilawal receives JAAC response on reconciliation commission, says AJK PM to consult stakeholders on way forward
Bilawal receives JAAC response on reconciliation commission, says AJK PM to consult stakeholders on way forward
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has received a response from the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), which he had proposed establishing as a Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The PPP has repeatedly called for the establishment of such a commission amid protests in AJK, citing concerns over human rights abuses and the need to address past conflicts.
According to sources close to Bilawal, the JAAC chairman expressed “willingness” to engage with the proposed commission as an institutional mechanism to address the crisis. The PPP has also welcomed this development, noting that the proposal had been endorsed by the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.
The JAAC’s response was seen as a significant step towards finding common ground on the issue of reconciliation in AJK. However, the region remains divided over the proposed commission, with some arguing that it would be too difficult to establish an independent body given the ongoing protests and tensions between Pakistanis and Indian-occupied Kashmiri refugees.
The PPP chairman has stated that his “foremost priority” is to help bring an end to the ongoing crisis in AJK and provide relief to its people. He also emphasized the importance of restoring normal life as soon as possible, saying that every precious life lost is a national tragedy.
Bilawal’s decision to consult with AJK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore on determining whether there was sufficient common ground for a mutually agreed proposal has been welcomed by party workers. The PPP chairman will seek input from the federal government and other stakeholders, including those involved in the protests, to determine the way forward.
The JAAC’s ban on the group has sparked controversy, with some accusing Pakistan of trying to silence dissenting voices within its territory. However, officials have maintained that the organization was engaged in terrorism and acted prejudicially against peace and security in AJK.
As tensions continue to simmer in AJK, Bilawal’s efforts to establish a Truth and Reconciliation Commission are seen as an attempt to bring about reconciliation and address past conflicts. The PPP chairman has also emphasized the importance of restoring fairness and transparency during these historic elections, stating that it is not about anyone’s victory or defeat.
The region’s legislative assembly had previously endorsed a resolution asking for the establishment of an independent reconciliation commission to investigate violence and pave the way for a negotiated settlement. This development has been welcomed by party workers as a step towards finding common ground on the issue of reconciliation in AJK.
Source: Dawn
Based on reporting from Dawn.
