ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari warned on Wednesday that “our military is our red line; it has always safeguarded our borders and recently handed Modi a historic defeat”.
He stated that “if our Kashmiris or soldiers, and the armed forces of Pakistan are targeted from within Kashmir or elsewhere in the country, it is unacceptable. Whether it is a politician or a worker, it is not tolerable for us.”
Addressing the party leaders and ticketholders in Muzaffarabad on Wednesday, Bilawal said the situation recently is concerning for every Kashmiri and Pakistani and if the situation prolongs, it will harm the Kashmir cause and the reputation of Pakistan at a time when conspiracies are being hatched on the international level. “Despite this, Pakistan and our field marshal’s role are evident before the world,” he added.
Bilawal said Pakistan is playing a role in addressing the conflict in Iran, initiated by Israel, while simultaneously defending the country against India’s attacks, countering its proxies in Afghanistan and downing its fighter jets. “Our military is giving them a befitting response when they look for trouble in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through their terrorists. Modi is intending to weaponise our River Indus through the Indus Waters Treaty, but our entire country is determined to defend it,” he added. The PPP chairman said when Israeli premier Netanyahu and his ‘Temu-version’ were together in Israel before the war in Iran, it became apparent that certain foreign elements were looking for an opportunity to target us.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari urged the government and protesters in AJK to pursue dialogue, saying the crisis could not be resolved through confrontation. He said Pakistan’s position could not be undermined by pressure from any side, while AJK residents had the right to raise legitimate concerns. Bilawal added that he would remain in AJK until elections, oversee the PPP campaign and continue advocating political, constitutional and economic rights of Kashmiris.
The PPP chairman said only Kashmir will decide for Kashmir, not any other city in Pakistan. In his view, he said a constitutional convention can be arranged after the elections, where legislative measures that could be taken to achieve more rights should be considered.
Separately, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari urged the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) to suspend its proposed long march and sit-ins following an agreement on the formation of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, while calling on the authorities to refrain from further coercive measures during the process.
In a letter addressed to the core committee and negotiation committee of the JAAC, Bilawal said the PPP was ready to facilitate efforts to resolve the ongoing crisis in the best interest of the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. He proposed that authorities refrain from further measures until the outcome of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, saying the PPP was ready to help resolve the AJK crisis if the proposal was accepted by the governments of Pakistan and AJK, as well as protesters.
Responding to a communication from the JKJAAC, Bilawal termed the recent violence and loss of lives a “national tragedy”, offering condolences to victims’ families and stressing that all lives, including those of civilians, police and security personnel, must be protected. He said the people of AJK had the right to peacefully raise political, economic and constitutional grievances, while allegations of violence by any side should be investigated impartially under the law.
Referring to disputes over recent events, implementation of previous agreements, criminal cases registered against JAAC members and the notification declaring the organisation proscribed, he said such issues should not be settled through accusations, collective blame or further confrontation.
Bilawal urged JAAC to keep protests peaceful and engage in dialogue, saying Kashmir’s issues should be addressed through democratic means.
Announcing that he would remain in AJK until polling day to oversee the PPP’s election campaign, Bilawal’s party also released his rally schedule, with public meetings planned in Dadyal on July 17, Kotli on July 19, Nikyal on July 21, Mirpur on July 22 and Muzaffarabad on July 24. Further campaign activities will be announced later.
Meanwhile, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government accused the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) of attempting to disrupt peace, stability and the writ of the state through a series of activities carried out over recent days.
Addressing a joint press conference, Special Secretary Home of AJK government Chaudhry Guftar Hussain and AJK Police spokesperson DIG Irfan Masood Kashfi alleged that the organisation was using the guise of public rights activism to spread unrest, exert pressure on the government, and create fear among the population.
Chaudhry Guftar Hussain said the banned committee had begun using women, children and students from schools, colleges, and universities as “human shields” during its protest activities. He further alleged that the group was promoting anti-Pakistan narratives, making derogatory remarks against the armed forces and blocking highways, thereby disrupting public movement and daily life.
The Home Department official also claimed that armed groups associated with the banned committee had directly opened fire on law enforcement personnel in an attempt to escalate tensions. He reiterated that the AJK general elections scheduled for July 27 would be held on time and that the government was committed to ensuring free, fair, and impartial polls.
AJK Police spokesperson DIG Irfan Masood Kashfi said armed groups linked to the banned committee were involved in firing incidents and accused them of running a misleading social media campaign by portraying armed individuals as security personnel in civilian clothes. He claimed weapons had been recovered from several leaders and activists of the group.
He said roadblocks on the Kotli-Trar Khal highway had disrupted traffic, adding that law enforcement operations cleared the Shujaabad-Kotera road to restore movement and ensure the supply of essential goods. He added that Constable Aqib was martyred in firing by armed groups at Baithak Baloch, while one Federal Constabulary official, two Public Works Department employees, and eight AJK Police personnel sustained injuries.
Separately, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) expressed deep concern over the recent developments in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), urging all stakeholders to exercise maximum restraint and calling for immediate dialogue to defuse tensions.
In a statement, the party expressed regret over the loss of lives, including the martyrdom of a Rangers official, and called on the authorities to immediately stop the use of force against protesters.
The PTI strongly criticised the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), describing the transaction as a “daylight heist” of national assets. The party alleged that the deal involved the sale of a 75 per cent stake in the national flag carrier for a cash payment of Rs10 billion while transferring premium properties worth Rs14.2 billion, calling it a grave disservice to the country.
