ISLAMABAD/MUZAFFARABAD: An important consultative meeting on Azad Jammu and Kashmir, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, held a detailed review of AJK’s upcoming general elections, the 12 refugee seats issue, and the negotiation process with the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC).
According to sources, the federal negotiation team briefed the Prime Minister on the progress of talks with the JAAC, their demands, and the current status of their implementation. The meeting also included detailed deliberation on the constitutional and legal aspects of the 12 refugee seats of the AJK Legislative Assembly, while a proposal to convene an all parties conference on this matter was also discussed.
It was agreed to consult all political parties and other stakeholders, and a broad consensus emerged in favour of retaining the 12 refugee seats, the sources said. The Prime Minister was also briefed on various aspects of AJK’s overall political situation, election preparations, and the strike and protest call given by the JAAC for June 9.
The meeting considered various options to ensure free, fair, timely, and peaceful conduct of the general elections, and a proposal also came up to take all political forces into confidence on AJK’s constitutional and electoral matters.
The sources added that the final decision regarding the refugee seats will be made keeping political consensus and constitutional requirements in view, while the federal and AJK leadership were actively working towards an acceptable and lasting solution to this issue.
