Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman strongly criticized Defence Minister Khawaja Asif over his remarks regarding the residents of Rawalakot in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). Both leaders said the comments could further inflame tensions in the region. The Rawalakot remarks controversy sparked heated debate in the National Assembly.
Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly, Fazlur Rehman urged the government to exercise patience and restraint. He said Khawaja Asif’s comments were not appropriate for a defence minister and would only worsen the situation. He also called on the government to review the Awami Action Committee’s charter of demands and seek a solution through dialogue rather than confrontation.
Fazlur Rehman revealed that he had received a formal letter from the Awami Action Committee and had forwarded it to the government, but had not yet received a response. He opposed the use of force against protesters and stressed that demonstrations should not be met with state action based solely on speeches or political rhetoric.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also criticized Khawaja Asif, saying some federal ministers were creating problems instead of helping resolve them. He questioned why a federal minister would claim that the people of Rawalakot were not Kashmiris and noted that no apology had been issued for the remarks. Bilawal urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to keep his ministers under control and allow Fazlur Rehman to play a mediating role.
Responding on behalf of the government, Rana Sanaullah said the government had addressed many of the protesters’ concerns and accused the Awami Action Committee of attempting to disrupt the upcoming AJK elections. He added that constitutional matters, including the issue of reserved refugee seats, could not be resolved through protests alone. The government, he said, remains open to mediation and dialogue to resolve the Rawalakot remarks controversy and other related issues.