Kashmir mediation talks moved forward after JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said the Public Action Committee had offered mediation to help resolve the ongoing situation in Azad Kashmir. He expressed hope that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would respond positively to the proposal.
Speaking to the media in Islamabad after meeting PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Fazlur Rehman said national issues require dialogue and coordination. He noted that Bilawal had publicly supported his mediation role in Parliament and said the prime minister had also been informed about the proposal. He added that the issue of the 12 refugee seats in Azad Kashmir should be resolved through negotiations.
The JUI-F chief also said he would consult his party before making any decision regarding joining the coalition government in Balochistan. He urged the Action Committee to present its arguments on the refugee seats issue through constitutional and legal channels.
Discussing the meeting, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said the PPP had recommended that the government take advantage of Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s mediation offer. He stressed that a peaceful political solution was essential and said the upcoming Azad Kashmir elections should remain free from controversy. He also emphasized that peaceful protest is a democratic right but should not turn into extremism or violence.
Bilawal added that Kashmir mediation talks could help implement previously agreed points and build political consensus. He said the PPP and JUI-F intend to work together not only in Azad Kashmir but also explore political cooperation in Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Sindh, and other regions.