Violence in AJK: Bilawal proposes creation of ‘truth and reconciliation body’

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Wednesday proposed the creation of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate recent violence in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and help end a growing political crisis that has left several people dead and many others injured.

In a letter addressed to the Core Committee and Negotiation Committee of the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC), Bilawal described the loss of lives in the region, including deaths reported on Tuesday, as a “national tragedy” and expressed condolences to the affected families.

“The death of a peaceful citizen cannot be treated as an acceptable consequence of political disagreement,” he said, while also stressing that the lives of police and security personnel must be protected.

To address the dispute, Bilawal proposed an independent Truth and Reconciliation Commission formed with the consent of all stakeholders, including the federal government, the AJK government, and representatives of the protest movement.

According to the proposal, the commission would investigate recent events, examine grievances raised by all parties, review political and legal disputes, and recommend a long-term and peaceful resolution to the crisis.

Bilawal said that the people of AJK had an unquestionable right to raise political, economic and constitutional grievances through peaceful means and warned against labelling peaceful protesters as terrorists, anti-Pakistan elements or agents of foreign powers merely for demanding their rights.

He said that allegations of violence involving either protesters or law enforcement officials should be investigated individually, impartially, and in accordance with the law.

The PPP chairman said the current confrontation could not be resolved through force or inflammatory rhetoric and called for a mechanism to establish facts and restore public trust.

“There are competing accounts regarding recent events, the implementation of previous agreements, cases registered against JKJAAC members and the notification proscribing the organisation,” he said, adding that such matters should not be decided through accusations or collective blame.

Bilawal also reiterated his opposition to statements questioning the Kashmiri identity of the people of Rawalakot.

“No one sitting in Islamabad has the right to determine who is or is not Kashmiri,” he said, adding that the dignity and identity of the people of AJK were not dependent on their political views or agreement with the government.

“I appeal to the JKJAAC to ensure that its movement is peaceful and to cooperate in creating the space required for immediate negotiations. This appeal is not a request for surrender or silence. It is an appeal to save lives while pursuing a just political settlement,” he said.

Bilawal further urged the protest leadership to suspend its proposed long march and sit-ins once an agreement had been reached on establishing the commission, while calling on authorities to avoid further punitive measures during the process.

He said the PPP was prepared to play a constructive role in resolving the crisis if the proposal was accepted by the Government of Pakistan, the Government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and representatives of the protesters.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026