Muzaffarabad, Muhammad Tahir Khokhar, a central leader of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and former Minister of Tourism and Transport, has voiced significant concerns over the presence of non-state Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) in the Azad Kashmir assembly. He questioned the legitimacy of these members, alleging that non-Kashmiri individuals are being falsely represented as state subjects, thereby impacting the political landscape and resource allocation in the region.

According to Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), the issue extends beyond the mere presence of these non-state MLAs in the assembly. He claims that some of these individuals, with fabricated state subject status, have even ascended to ministerial positions within the government. This situation, he argues, poses a serious threat to the rights and identity of the Kashmiri people, as it allows non-Kashmiri individuals to exert influence and potentially exploit the region’s resources.

Khokhar emphasized the need for the government to take immediate action against the institutions and officers responsible for this alleged falsification. He calls for an inquiry to identify and cancel the fake state subjects issued to non-Kashmiri individuals and to hold accountable those who facilitated this process. He describes the situation as an “invasion of Kashmir by non-state people,” asserting that it represents a grave injustice against the Kashmiri population and an attack on their identity.

The MQM leader’s statements highlight a deepening concern over the representation and governance in the Azad Kashmir assembly, signaling a potential crisis of legitimacy and identity in the region. The issue underscores the complexities and sensitivities surrounding the political dynamics in Azad Kashmir, a region already marked by its unique geopolitical status.