Bilawal begins consultations after JAAC backs reconciliation proposal

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has announced that he has received a response from the banned Joint Awami

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has announced that he has received a response from the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) regarding his proposal to establish a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to address the ongoing crisis in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). He said the response marked an important step towards finding a peaceful and institutional solution to the unrest.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Bilawal said the committee had shown willingness to consider the proposed commission. He welcomed the response and said it reflected support for resolving the dispute through dialogue rather than confrontation. He added that the proposal had already been endorsed by the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.

The PPP chairman said the loss of every life during the recent unrest was a national tragedy. He stressed that his foremost priority was to help restore peace, reduce tensions, and bring normal life back to the people of AJK as soon as possible.

Bilawal said the next stage would involve consultations with AJK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore. He explained that the prime minister would hold discussions with the federal government and other relevant stakeholders to determine whether sufficient consensus exists to move forward with the proposed commission.

According to Bilawal, these consultations are necessary before any final decision is taken. He expressed hope that all parties would work together to develop a mutually acceptable framework capable of addressing the concerns raised during the recent protests.

The proposal comes after weeks of political tension between the AJK government and the Joint Awami Action Committee. The dispute intensified over the committee’s demand to abolish the 12 seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly reserved for refugees from Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir who settled in Pakistan after 1947. The disagreement led to widespread demonstrations across the region and increased political uncertainty.

Bilawal has repeatedly called for the establishment of an independent Truth and Reconciliation Commission over the past month. He believes such a body could impartially investigate the recent violence, determine the facts surrounding the unrest, and help create conditions for meaningful dialogue between the government and protesters.

Speaking at a public gathering in Muzaffarabad earlier this week, Bilawal said maintaining peace, fairness, and transparency was essential during the election period. He argued that resolving the crisis should not be viewed as a political victory or defeat for any party but as a national responsibility aimed at protecting the future of Kashmir and safeguarding Pakistan’s position on the Kashmir issue.