Muzaffarabad: At a recent gathering in Azad Kashmir, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party, emphasized the need for a political solution to the ongoing unrest in the region. Addressing party leaders and ticket holders, Bhutto Zardari underscored the historical legacy of his party's commitment to the Kashmir cause and called for a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to resolve the current crisis.
According to Pakistan Peoples Party, Bhutto Zardari expressed pride in standing at what he referred to as the "base camp of the movement for the freedom of Jammu and Kashmir." He reiterated his party's longstanding commitment, citing the leadership of former party leaders like Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Bhutto Zardari condemned attacks on Kashmiris and Pakistani armed forces, stating that such actions are unacceptable. He praised the military's defense efforts and highlighted various regional conflicts and threats, including those related to the Indus Water Treaty.
Bhutto Zardari noted the concerning situation in Kashmir and its potential impact on Pakistan's reputation amidst international conspiracies. He advocated for responsible language and peaceful political engagement to prevent exploitation by Pakistan's adversaries. He stressed that the resolution of Kashmir's issues must be political and peaceful, and he condemned any attempts to question the Kashmiri identity of Rawalakot's residents.
The call for a Truth and Reconciliation Commission was a key proposal in Bhutto Zardari's address, suggesting it be constituted with the agreement of all concerned parties to examine the current situation and recommend a just and lasting solution. He appealed to protestors to suspend their activities once an agreement on the commission's formation is reached and urged authorities to refrain from further measures pending the commission's outcome.
Bhutto Zardari also discussed the challenges of contesting elections under the present circumstances and reaffirmed the party's commitment to campaigning in Kashmir despite difficulties. He called for addressing endemic issues exacerbated by federal ministers' handling of the crisis and emphasized the PPP's historical struggle for self-determination and rights.
He concluded by highlighting the importance of empowering Kashmir's youth and ensuring that the future of the region is decided by its people. Bhutto Zardari instructed party members to spread this message throughout Kashmir and expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister and Ishaq Dar for respecting the PPP's mandate in Gilgit-Baltistan, hoping for similar respect in Kashmir.