JI Emir Intensifies Political Outreach to Resolve AJK Crisis

JI Emir Intensifies Political Outreach to Resolve AJK Crisis

Meets PTI Leadership, Opposition Leader and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi

ISLAMABAD, June 27: Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Emir Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman has intensified political consultations to help resolve the ongoing crisis in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), holding separate meetings with PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar, Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai, and former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.
The meetings were held in the backdrop of the deteriorating situation in AJK and the mediation offer extended by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC). The discussions focused on the current situation in AJK, the ongoing protests, the deadlock between the government and the Joint Action Committee, and possible steps for a peaceful resolution.
Following the meetings, the leaders held separate joint media interactions and appreciated Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman’s efforts for bringing political stakeholders together to address the crisis.
During the meetings, the JI delegation comprised Vice Emir Mian Aslam, JI AJK Emir Dr Mushtaq Khan, JI Islamabad Emir Nasrullah Randhawa and Secretary Information Shakil Ahmed Turabi. The PTI delegation included former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, former AJK Prime Minister Abdul Qayyum Niazi and former AJK Assembly Speaker Khawaja Farooq. The delegation accompanying Opposition Leader Mahmood Achakzai included Pakistan Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Ayeen leaders Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar and its spokesperson Akhundzada Hussain Yousafzai.
Speaking alongside Barrister Gohar and Asad Qaiser, Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman said the entire country was deeply concerned over the situation in AJK, adding that the Kashmir issue was linked with Pakistan’s 80-year-old national cause and must not be allowed to suffer any damage. He said AJK was currently completely shut down and enough blood has already been spilled. “We do not want to say or do anything that further intensifies the conflict,” he added.
Rehman said there were two possible approaches: one was to allow the situation to worsen, while the other was for responsible leadership to step forward and “pour water on the fire”. He said JI had decided to play its role in resolving the crisis and this was not about taking political credit. “The government should also move forward in this regard. If the situation reaches a point of no return, it will cause serious damage,” he warned.
The JI chief said the JI had formed a committee to engage with the Joint Action Committee, while he would also continue consultations with the Prime Minister and national leadership to help restore normalcy. He stressed that while the government and protesters may have different positions, the root causes of public anger must also be addressed. “People become frustrated when their public mandate is not respected,” he said. He also urged the government to immediately restore the supply of essential goods to AJK, saying several trucks carrying necessities were waiting for clearance. He reiterated that the people of Pakistan stand with the youth of Kashmir.
Barrister Gohar welcomed Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman and his delegation, saying all political forces agreed that the Kashmir cause should not suffer. He stressed the need to restore the supply of essential commodities and said opposition parties would work together to improve the situation through political and public engagement.

After his meeting with Mahmood Achakzai, Rehman said peace must be given an opportunity, warning that failure to resolve the matter could create divisions that may become difficult to bridge. He said JI’s offer of mediation could only succeed if both sides agreed to it. “Any dialogue will take place within Pakistan’s constitutional and national framework,” he said. Mahmood Khan Achakzai said the Constitution provides the right to protest, but a gap had developed between the government and the JAAC. “We need to understand why the people of Kashmir reached this point,” he said. Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar said the entire country was worried about the AJK situation and appreciated JI’s efforts. He warned that further deterioration could also affect Pakistan’s position at the international level.
During his meeting with former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Hafiz Naeem said JI had started consultations with senior politicians, the government and other stakeholders to find a peaceful solution to the crisis. He said the purpose of meeting Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was to seek support from national leadership for reducing tensions and improving the situation in AJK. Abbasi welcomed JI Emir and his delegation. He appreciated the efforts being made for a peaceful resolution, assuring his cooperation in the process.