An important All Parties Conference (APC) meeting was held in Muzaffarabad at the Prime Minister’s House, attended by the leadership of political and religious parties.
The APC held detailed consultations on the current political situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), constitutional processes, and public affairs.
A resolution presented by the Prime Minister of AJK, Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, was unanimously adopted. The meeting took a clear position in favor of the democratic process, constitutional continuity, and state stability.
The majority of political parties from Jammu and Kashmir participated in the meeting. Participants included Shah Ghulam Qadir of the Pakistan Muslim League, Chaudhry Yasin of the Pakistan Peoples Party, Sardar Attique ur Rehman, as well as Sardar Farooq Haider Khan, Sardar Yaqoob Khan, Sardar Tanveer Ilyas, Ahmed Raza Qadri, Maulana Saeed Yousaf, Yasir Abbas Naqvi, and Dr Ilyas.
Despite waiting for their participation, the Public Action Committee did not become part of the consultative and democratic process, according to the resolution.
The APC reaffirmed its full support for the right of self-determination on the Kashmir issue in accordance with resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.
The meeting strongly condemned human rights violations allegedly committed by Indian forces in IIOJK.
The APC declared Indian repression, authoritarianism, and alleged atrocities in IIOJK unacceptable. Moreover, the illegal detention and imprisonment of Hurriyat leaders and Kashmiri political activists were condemned in the APC resolution.
The APC condemned what it described as Indian efforts to alter the demographic composition of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.
The participants reaffirmed their commitment to making democratic institutions stronger, more active, and more effective.
Political differences are a beauty of democracy, but weakening institutional processes cannot be permitted, according to the resolution.
All political, social, and public groups should promote tolerance, dialogue, and peaceful political struggle, the resolution said, adding that responsible political conduct is essential for lasting peace in the region.
The APC appreciated the role of national security institutions, terming them an important pillar of stability.
The resolution alleged that India is conducting organized propaganda against state institutions through social media platforms. It said that efforts to undermine trust between state institutions and the public are unacceptable.
It went on to say that free and fair general elections for the AJK Legislative Assembly will be held within the constitutionally prescribed timeframe and in accordance with the law.
It warned that any attempt to sabotage, delay, or make the electoral process controversial will not be tolerated.
The resolution paid tribute to the sacrifices of Jammu and Kashmir refugees for the Kashmir freedom movement and the movement for the completion of Pakistan.
The representation of refugees residing in Pakistan is a historical and constitutional reality, the APC resolution stated.
It said that certain electoral complexities relating to refugee representation can be addressed through reforms.
“Reforms acceptable to political parties can be introduced through the Legislative Assembly in accordance with the Constitution. Constitutional reforms are the exclusive authority and mandate of the people’s elected representatives,” according to the resolution.
The issue of constitutional reforms should be left to the Legislative Assembly, the APC stated. It said that consultations will be held with political parties, bar associations, the bar council, civil society, and constitutional experts.
Participants agreed on the need to initiate a broad-based consultative process for constitutional reforms. The APC emphasized that solutions to issues can only be achieved through dialogue, law, Constitution and democratic institutions.