Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said he supports efforts to ease tensions in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and welcomed any mediation by Maulana Fazlur Rehman. The remarks matter because political dialogue could help address the ongoing unrest in the region. Political stakeholders, Kashmiri communities, and residents of AJK are directly affected.
Speaking to Geo News, Khawaja Asif said any initiative by Maulana Fazlur Rehman to facilitate dialogue would be a positive development. He said he had already expressed support for such mediation on the National Assembly floor. The minister added that he would welcome any consensus reached among all concerned parties.
Khawaja Asif also highlighted the sacrifices made by Kashmiri refugees living in Pakistan. He argued that refugees who migrated after Partition and those from Indian-administered Kashmir had made significant sacrifices. He said depriving refugee communities of their reserved representation would not be justified.
The minister divided Kashmiris into three groups, including residents of Indian-administered Kashmir, post-Partition migrants, and residents of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. He said the sacrifices of people living under Indian administration and those who migrated should not be overlooked. According to him, these communities had played a vital role in the Kashmir cause.
Concluding his remarks, Khawaja Asif reiterated his support for a negotiated solution to the current situation in AJK. He said he would back any mediation effort that secured agreement among all stakeholders. The minister expressed hope that dialogue would help reduce tensions and lead to a peaceful resolution.