Islamabad: Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, Engineer Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman, has said that all stakeholders will be engaged in dialogue to resolve the issue of Azad Kashmir. He urged the immediate restoration of the supply of essential goods to Azad Kashmir, warning that the current situation is damaging the Kashmir cause. He also appealed to all sides to avoid making statements that could further inflame tensions.
He expressed these views during a joint press conference following a meeting between delegations of Jamaat-e-Islami and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), led by PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar.
The Jamaat-e-Islami delegation included Deputy Ameer Mian Aslam, Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Azad Kashmir Muhammad Mushtaq, Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Islamabad Nasrullah Randhawa, and Central Information Secretary Shakil Ahmed Turabi. The PTI delegation included former National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, former Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir Abdul Qayyum Khan Niazi, and other party leaders.
Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman noted that Azad Kashmir was completely shut down, with a lockdown in place, shortages of essential commodities, and significant bloodshed during the ongoing protests. He said this was not a healthy situation for Kashmir.
He added that there were two possible approaches: engaging in blame games or finding a peaceful solution. Stressing that Kashmiris have been struggling for freedom for the past 80 years, he said the current situation was harming the Kashmir cause and must be resolved. He also revealed that when Jamaat-e-Islami offered to mediate, the Joint Action Committee responded positively.
Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman emphasized that the current crisis in Kashmir should be addressed above party affiliations and that the government must take practical steps to bridge the gap between the people and the state. “The state belongs to the people,” he said, “not to judges or generals.” He reaffirmed that the entire nation of Pakistan stands with the people of Jammu and Kashmir and warned against attempts to create divisions between them.
He further stated that Pakistan was not responsible for the recent events in Azad Kashmir. Jamaat-e-Islami has formed a committee to hold talks with the Joint Action Committee and will also engage with the government and civil society. He said the party would also support joint dialogue among opposition parties if it could help resolve the crisis.
He stressed that no statements or actions should be taken that could disturb law and order. He urged the government to allow trucks carrying essential supplies into Azad Kashmir without delay. Responding to questions, Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman said negotiations with the Joint Action Committee would take place within the framework of Pakistan’s Constitution, noting that the committee itself had expressed willingness to remain within the constitutional framework.
Barrister Gohar said, ‘I welcome the Jamaat-e-Islami delegation and said both sides had held detailed discussions on the situation in Kashmir. He emphasized that the Kashmir cause must not be harmed under any circumstances and that all issues should be resolved through dialogue and mutual understanding. He called for an end to irresponsible statements and demanded the immediate restoration of food and essential supplies.
Barrister Gohar said opposition parties would make joint efforts to help resolve the crisis. He added that the Joint Action Committee had been formed by the people, its demands were legitimate, and they should be addressed.