ISLAMABAD: Amir Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Hafiz Naeemur Rehman called for a peaceful resolution of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) political crisis, stressing that meaningful negotiations are the only solution to the ongoing situation in the region.
Addressing a press conference here on Monday, the JI chief urged the government to avoid the use of force and engage with the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) leadership.
JI chief announced that JAAC leadership through JI AJK chapter has urged his party leadership to mediate between the government and the JAAC, saying that JI has accepted the responsibility of mediation and started working to restore trust between the government and the JAAC to prevent bloodshed and unrest.
Hafiz Naeem said the JAAC had expressed complete confidence in JI leadership and had announced the planned long march towards AJK capital Muzaffarabad, which was a positive gesture. He urged the government to also move forward with seriousness and begin negotiations to resolve the legitimate demands of the people. He said the AJK situation should not be allowed to reach a point where India could exploit it for propaganda against Pakistan and the Kashmir cause.
“Jamaat-e-Islami’s mediation with the JAAC is within the constitutional and national framework of Pakistan and the Kashmir issue. As long as this framework remains intact, every possible effort will be made to resolve the matter,” he added. Rejecting the impression that the situation had reached a “point of no return,” Hafiz said the door for negotiations is still open. “We do not agree with the government’s position that the situation has gone beyond control. Dialogue is still possible, and JI has offered its cooperation both to the government and JAAC.”
Following the acceptance of its mediation offer, the party leadership decided to accelerate reconciliation efforts. He added that JI leaders in AJK had remained in contact with different stakeholders.
He said India was already committing serious human rights violations in occupied Kashmir through killings, the use of pellet guns, and imprisonment of Kashmiri leadership. “Pakistan should not make any mistake on the internal front that gives the enemy a diplomatic advantage,” he added.
The JI chief said public confidence in AJK’s political leadership had weakened due to repeated changes in political loyalties, power politics and vested interests, which had harmed the democratic process and contributed to public protests. He cautioned against elements trying to exploit the situation and appealed to AJK youth not to become part of any anti-Pakistan narrative. “Pakistan is the country of Kashmiris, and its educational institutions, offices and resources are open to them.
“Kashmiris should avoid falling into the hands of the enemy,” he said. JI Emir urged the federal government, relevant institutions, and authorities to avoid any steps that could create hatred, unrest, or instability. He also demanded that Punjab and the federal government ensure an uninterrupted supply of essential goods to the AJK.
The JI chief said that elections in AJK should be held on time, but if negotiations succeeded and normalcy returned, elections would take place in a more peaceful and acceptable environment. Otherwise, questions could be raised over their results.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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