Your letter concerning the grave situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir

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To:
The Core Committee and Negotiation Committee
Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee

Subject: Your letter concerning the grave situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir

Dear Members of the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee,

I acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 14 July 2026.

The continuing loss of life in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, including the deaths reported yesterday, is a national tragedy. I extend my deepest condolences to every bereaved family and pray for the recovery of all those injured. Every Kashmiri life is precious. The death of a peaceful citizen cannot be treated as an acceptable consequence of political disagreement, just as the life of every police and security official must also be protected.

The people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir have an unquestionable right to raise their political, economic and constitutional grievances peacefully. Peaceful citizens must not be indiscriminately branded as terrorists, anti-Pakistan or agents of any foreign power merely for demanding their rights. At the same time, any specific allegation of violence, whether against a protestor or a member of law enforcement, must be investigated individually, impartially and according to law.

The present confrontation cannot be resolved through force or inflammatory accusations. Nor can commitments made in writing be allowed to disappear into competing claims about what has or has not been implemented.

There are competing accounts regarding recent events, the conduct of the different parties, the implementation of previous agreements, the cases registered against members of the JKJAAC and the notification proscribing the organisation. These matters should not be decided through accusation, collective blame or further confrontation.

I therefore propose the establishment of an Truth and Reconciliation Commission, constituted with the agreement of all concerned parties. The commission should be given a sufficiently broad mandate to examine the present situation, establish the relevant facts, consider the grievances and positions of all sides, review the outstanding political, legal and administrative questions, and recommend a just and lasting way forward.

I have already opposed statements questioning the Kashmiri identity of the people of Rawalakot. Let me reiterate: no one sitting in Islamabad has the right to determine who is or is not Kashmiri. The dignity and identity of the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir are not conditional upon their agreement with any government.

I appeal to the JKJAAC to ensure that its movement is peaceful and to cooperate in creating the space required for immediate negotiations. This appeal is not a request for surrender or silence. It is an appeal to save lives while pursuing a just political settlement.

Pakistan’s relationship with the people of Kashmir must be founded upon consent, dignity, democratic rights and mutual respect. At this grave moment, our first responsibility is to prevent further bloodshed and restore trust through verifiable action.

I therefore appeal to the JKJAAC to suspend its proposed long march and sit-ins once agreement has been reached on the formation of the commission. Correspondingly, the authorities should refrain from further measures pending the outcome of the truth and reconciliation commission.

If this proposal is acceptable to both the government of Pakistan, government of AJK and the protestors. The Pakistan People’s party is ready to play its part to help resolves the current crisis in the best interest of the people of Kashmir.

Yours sincerely,
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari
Chairman, Pakistan Peoples Party