Bilawal reviews AJK political situation

Bilawal reviews AJK political situation

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari chaired a high-level meeting of the party’s parliamentary leadership from Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) at Zardari House to review the region’s evolving political and administrative landscape.

During the meeting, PPP leaders from AJK briefed Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on recent constitutional and legal developments, particularly the Supreme Court of Azad Kashmir’s ruling on the presidential reference concerning refugee seats in the Legislative Assembly.

The party leadership informed the meeting that the court upheld the government’s position, ruling that the 12 refugee seats enjoy constitutional protection and cannot be altered through administrative measures. According to the briefing, any change to these seats would require a constitutional amendment under Article 33 of the AJK Constitution. Participants stressed that constitutional supremacy, rather than street agitation, remains the decisive force in resolving political disputes in Azad Kashmir.

The briefing also highlighted that the Supreme Court endorsed the government’s decision to leave other constitutional matters to the elected assembly. The court emphasized that constitutional amendments must follow the democratic process, including public mandate, parliamentary debate, and the procedures laid down in the Constitution.

Leaders further noted that Article 22(4) requires elections to take place on time and that political disagreements or protests cannot justify delays. They said the state bears the constitutional responsibility to ensure both the conduct of elections and the maintenance of law and order. While peaceful protest remains a protected constitutional right, actions such as blocking roads, intimidating citizens, or disrupting daily life fall outside constitutional limits.

The meeting marked the third major PPP gathering in Azad Kashmir within the last 48 hours, underlining the party’s focus on the region’s political developments. Senior party leaders provided Bilawal Bhutto Zardari with a detailed assessment of the current situation and discussed challenges facing the government.

AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, cabinet members, and legislators attended the session. Participants reviewed government affairs and discussed future political and administrative strategies.

According to party sources, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is holding extensive consultations with the parliamentary leadership and may make important decisions regarding the overall political and governance situation in Azad Kashmir in the coming days.