Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said on Sunday that the approaching signing of the Islamabad agreement is a historic moment.
He said that global attention remains focused on Pakistan, but unrest in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) is damaging the country’s reputation, adding that the protest situation is providing an opportunity for hostile elements and the India–Israel nexus to take advantage.
He stated that in AJK, those taking the law into their own hands should hand themselves over to the authorities and allow the legal process to take its course. He said political grievances must be resolved through democratic, constitutional and peaceful means, and that parliament and the political process are the proper forums, not the streets. He added that the PPP has already demanded that the electoral watchdog withdraw the early electoral schedule.
Bhutto-Zardari said efforts would be made to establish a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to address pending complaints. He said the people of Kashmir should move away from protest, confrontation and uncertainty, and that the AJK government may review notifications regarding protest groups at an appropriate time.
He stressed that there would be no compromise on the rule of law, and that innocent people should not be punished for the actions of others.
