AJK multiparty conference backs timely polls, consultative reforms

MUZAFFARABAD: A multiparty conference convened by the Azad Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday supported holding the upcoming Legislative Assembly elections within the constitutional timeframe and said any constitutional changes should be carried out by the elected assembly after broad consultations with stakeholders.

The conference, held at the Prime Minister’s House, adopted a unanimous resolution calling for all required administrative, legal and security arrangements to ensure that the polls are free, fair, transparent, impartial and peaceful. Participants also said constitutional reform was the exclusive domain of the people’s elected representatives and should therefore be addressed by the Legislative Assembly.

Those attending included AJK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, PPP AJK President Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin, Leader of the Opposition and PML-N AJK President Shah Ghulam Qadir, PML-N General Secretary Chaudhry Tariq Farooq, former prime ministers Raja Farooq Haider and Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan, former presidents Sardar Masood Khan and Sardar Yaqoob Khan, leaders of political and religious parties, cabinet members, and refugee lawmakers Abdul Majid Khan and Ahmed Raza Qadri.

The resolution stated that any reform process should be preceded by extensive consultation with political parties, bar associations, the bar council, civil society organisations and constitutional experts.

Refugee seats issue

On the disputed issue of Jammu and Kashmir refugees living in Pakistan, participants described their representation as a historical and constitutional reality. At the same time, they said electoral and procedural questions linked to the present arrangement could be dealt with through constitutional reform by the Legislative Assembly.

The issue has recently triggered political debate in AJK. The conference further voiced concern over what participants described as Indian efforts to use social media and organised propaganda to generate mistrust between state institutions and democratic structures in AJK. It also reaffirmed support for Kashmiris’ right to self-determination under United Nations resolutions and condemned human rights violations in India-held Kashmir.

JAAC declines participation

The Joint Awami Action Committee did not attend the conference. The event started later than planned after Prime Minister Rathore went to the residence of JAAC core member Amjad Ali Khan to personally invite him as a stakeholder. Some other JAAC leaders were also present there, but they also declined to join.

According to its spokesperson, the PTI was not invited. However, its regional president and former prime minister, Sardar Abdul Qayyum Niazi, was invited in his capacity as a former premier. He did not attend and accused the ruling PPP and opposition PML-N of maintaining an unclear stance on the refugee seats matter. He also called for meaningful talks on implementing the agreement with JAAC and warned against the use of force against the public.

After speeches by several participants, the conference resolution was drafted by Shah Ghulam Qadir and Senior Minister Mian Abdul Waheed in consultation with other attendees.

Prime minister’s remarks

Speaking to reporters after the conference, Prime Minister Rathore said he had visited the residence of the JAAC leader and maintained that the government had addressed matters in line with its agreement with the committee. He said the government had asked for more time, but the committee was unwilling to grant even an additional week.

“We sought additional time from them, but they were not willing to extend it even by a week. It seems that even if the refugee seats are abolished, the committee would still want to shut down the state,” Rathore said.

He also said no decision had been taken to stop JAAC through force and added: “We [still] want to resolve issues through dialogue.”