Islamabad, June 14, 2026: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Sunday expressed concern over the ongoing unrest in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), warning that the situation was undermining both the Kashmir cause and Pakistan’s international image amid deadly clashes between members of a proscribed organisation and law enforcement agencies.
In a statement, Bilawal said the prevailing situation in AJK was creating an unnecessary opportunity for hostile forces and the “India-Israel nexus” to exploit the circumstances for their own objectives.
The remarks come in the wake of the AJK government’s decision on June 5 to declare the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) a proscribed organisation under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), alleging its involvement in terrorist activities.
The ban was imposed ahead of the group’s planned June 9 protest against the continuation of 12 seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly reserved for refugees from Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) who migrated to Pakistan after 1947.
Tensions escalated on June 8 when AJK police reported that firing by members of the banned outfit in Rawalakot resulted in the martyrdom of four law enforcement personnel and left more than 20 police and security officials injured.
Bilawal stressed that political grievances and differences should be addressed through democratic, constitutional and peaceful means, adding that parliament and the political process remained the most appropriate forums for resolving such disputes.
He noted that the PPP had already called on the Election Commission to withdraw what it termed a premature electoral schedule, reiterating the party’s commitment to a political settlement of the crisis.
“We are committed to achieving a political solution,” Bilawal said, adding that efforts would be made to establish a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to address outstanding grievances and help bring the matter to a fair and lasting conclusion.
The PPP chairman also appealed to protesters to end their demonstrations peacefully and urged those involved in unlawful activities to surrender to local authorities and allow the legal process to proceed.
“The people of Kashmir should not have to endure protest, confrontation and uncertainty,” he said, adding that if consensus was reached among the federal government and political stakeholders, the AJK government could review notifications issued against the protesting groups.
Bilawal maintained that while there could be no compromise on the rule of law and accountability for illegal actions, the government was equally committed to ensuring that innocent individuals were not made to suffer for the actions of others.
His statement came a day after Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah alleged that external elements were financing the banned JAAC and claimed that the organisation had rejected several efforts aimed at peacefully resolving disputes.
According to Sanaullah, the group had recently raised a new demand seeking the removal of a declaration—requiring election candidates to affirm that Kashmir would accede to Pakistan following independence—from nomination documents for AJK Assembly elections.He further claimed that investigations had revealed financial support for the banned organisation from external actors, including members of the Pakistani diaspora based in the United Kingdom.
