MUZAFFARABAD: General elections to the Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly should be held within the stipulated period in accordance with the Constitution and the law, an All Parties Conference (APC) held at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat in Muzaffarabad declared.
The conference rejected the demand for the abolition of 12 seats reserved for refugees residing in Pakistan in the Legislative Assembly and made it clear that constitutional reforms are the exclusive prerogative and mandate of elected representatives of people. Therefore, the matter should be left to the Legislative Assembly. However, before any such reforms, a broad-based consultative process will be initiated with all relevant stakeholders, including political parties, bar associations, the Bar Council, civil society and constitutional experts.
Leaders of all major political and religious parties participated in the APC, chaired by Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore. A unanimous resolution was adopted at the conclusion of the meeting, outlining important decisions and demands regarding state stability, democratic values and the right to self-determination of the people of occupied Kashmir.
According to the declaration issued after the meeting, leaders of the Awami Action Committee were also invited to participate in this important consultative process, but they did not attend.
The meeting reaffirmed full support for the right to self-determination of Kashmiri people in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions. At the same time, it strongly condemned serious human rights violations by Indian forces in the occupied valley, the illegal detention of Hurriyat leadership and Indian conspiracies to alter the demographic composition of the region.
Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore released the APC declaration at a press conference. The APC unanimously passed a resolution stating that the general elections to the Azad Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly shall be held within the stipulated period, in accordance with the Constitution and law. All necessary administrative and security measures will be taken to ensure that the elections are free, fair, transparent and peaceful, enabling the people to exercise their right to vote without fear. The resolution further stated that any attempt to sabotage, postpone or otherwise affect the electoral process at any level will be strictly prevented in accordance with the law.
The declaration made it clear that the ongoing democratic and constitutional continuity in Azad Jammu & Kashmir is the foundation of state stability. While political dissent is the beauty of democracy, no one will be allowed to use it as a pretext to weaken the state’s administrative order and institutional structure. All political and social circles were urged to adopt the path of tolerance and dialogue to ensure lasting peace in the region.
The APC appreciated the role of national security institutions and declared them a key pillar of state stability. The resolution expressed grave concern that India is using social media platforms and organised propaganda to create misunderstandings about state institutions and the democratic structure and to undermine public confidence. It stated that such efforts would not be tolerated under any circumstances.
The All Parties Conference paid rich tribute to the enduring sacrifices of refugees of Jammu & Kashmir residing in Pakistan for the Kashmir freedom movement, recognising them as a historical and constitutional reality of Kashmiri representation in Pakistan.
It was agreed that electoral reforms acceptable to political parties would be introduced through the Legislative Assembly to address electoral complexities. The resolution maintained that constitutional reforms are the exclusive prerogative and mandate of elected representatives of the people, and therefore the matter should be left to the Legislative Assembly. However, before any such reforms, a broad-based consultative process will be initiated with all relevant stakeholders, including political parties, bar associations, the Bar Council, civil society and constitutional experts.
