AJK Polls: Bilawal Slams 'Collective Punishment' of Kashmiris, Vows to Bridge Islamabad-Muzaffarabad Divide

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KOTLI / MUZAFFARABAD: Launching his party’s formal election campaign for the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari delivered a fiery address targeting both state handling of the regional crisis and the severe political disconnect plaguing the territory. Speaking to an energized crowd ahead of the July 27, 2026 elections, the PPP leader pledged to dismantle the administrative barriers separating the local population from the federal capital while elevating their grievances to the global stage.

“We have seen both good and bad times in AJK, but I have never witnessed the severe conditions prevailing today,” Bilawal remarked, characterizing the prolonged regional standoff as a critical test for the state apparatus, the regional government, and mainstream political forces alike.

Critique of State Crackdown and Disruptive Tactics

The PPP leader took a balanced yet sharp stance on the ongoing governance impasse, heavily criticizing the state’s heavy-handed response while cautioning demonstrators against complete gridlock.

Opposing Collective Punishment: Bilawal directly questioned the nature of recent police crackdowns and anti-terror designations. He demanded that authorities isolate and arrest actual lawbreakers rather than penalizing the entire population. “The government is not punishing the protesters; it is punishing all Kashmiris,” he declared.
The Cost of Blockades: While validating the democratic right to peaceful dissent, he urged organizers to keep vital supply lines open. He noted that demonstrations disrupting food, fuel, and medical supplies ultimately burden ordinary citizens rather than forcing the state’s hand.
Diplomatic Capabilities: In a pointed remark on federal priorities, Bilawal argued that if Islamabad possesses the diplomatic capacity to mediate between global powers like the United States and Iran, or help secure international shipping routes like the Strait of Hormuz, it should easily be able to resolve the internal deadlock holding Kashmir captive.

The Deadlock Over the Truth & Reconciliation Commission

Reiterating his earlier structural proposal to resolve the underlying civic fractures, Bilawal expressed frustration over the silence from both sides of the conflict.

He confirmed that his formal pitch to establish a Truth and Reconciliation Commission remains on the table as a neutral pathway to review constitutional grievances, economic disputes, and leadership detentions. However, he revealed that neither the government nor the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC) leadership has officially responded to the initiative. He challenged both factions to present a viable, peaceful alternative if they choose to reject a mediated dialogue.

A Radical Blueprint for Constitutional Empowerment

Looking past the immediate elections, the PPP chairman outlined an aggressive reform agenda designed to completely shift how Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and AJK interface with Pakistan.

Abolishing the Kashmir Ministry: Standing firmly against federal micromanagement, Bilawal reiterated his opposition to the federal Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, advocating instead for absolute local empowerment.
Constitutional Conventions: He announced that following a PPP victory, formal constitutional conventions will be summoned across the territory. This will allow the local population—rather than bureaucrats in Islamabad—to directly draft their desired administrative and legal reforms.
Legislative Representation: He promised to fight for provisional or observer-status representation for AJK and GB residents within Pakistan’s central legislative forums, ensuring their voices are structurally integrated into national policymaking.

Electoral Landscape: The PPP-JUI-F Alliance

With the AJK Election Commission confirming July 27 as the definitive polling date, political maneuvering has reached a peak. The PPP has finalized its contenders for 35 out of the 45 directly contested Legislative Assembly seats, deliberately withholding decisions on eight specific constituencies.

Solidifying its position against regional rivals, the PPP has formally entered a strategic electoral alliance with the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (Fazl) (JUI-F), allocating two key seats to its ally. This joint front aims to capitalize on grassroots economic grievances, presenting a unified platform focused on employment, self-governance, and local resource ownership.