AJK All Parties Conference Reaffirms Support for Kashmir Cause, Elections, and Democratic Stability
Muzaffarabad: An official communiqué has been issued following the All Parties Conference (APC) held at the Prime Minister House, Muzaffarabad, where political and religious party leaders unanimously adopted a joint resolution.
Leaders of the Jammu and Kashmir Awami Action Committee were also invited to attend the consultative democratic process; however, despite waiting, they did not become part of the proceedings.
At the conclusion of the APC, Prime Minister Azad Jammu and Kashmir Faisal Mumtaz Rathore read out the unanimously approved resolution.
The resolution, jointly adopted by all participating parties, reaffirmed full support for the legitimate struggle of the people of Jammu and Kashmir for their internationally recognized right to self-determination under United Nations Security Council resolutions. It strongly condemned ongoing human rights violations, oppression, and atrocities committed by Indian forces in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, and denounced the illegal detention and imprisonment of Hurriyat leadership and political activists.
It also condemned attempts by India to alter the demographic composition of occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
The resolution stated that the ongoing democratic continuity and constitutional process in Azad Jammu and Kashmir are the foundation of state stability, and reaffirmed the commitment to further strengthen democratic institutions.
It emphasized that political differences are the essence of democracy; however, they must not be used to weaken state institutions or administrative order. It called on all political, social, and public stakeholders to promote tolerance, dialogue, and peaceful political struggle for lasting peace in the region.
The conference also acknowledged and appreciated the role of national security institutions in maintaining state stability.
It expressed serious concern over attempts by India to use social media platforms and organized propaganda to create misunderstandings and weaken trust between state institutions and democratic structures.
The resolution further stated that general elections for the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly will be held within the stipulated time in accordance with the Constitution and law. It stressed that all necessary administrative, legal, and security measures must be ensured to conduct free, fair, transparent, impartial, and peaceful elections, enabling citizens to exercise their right to vote without fear, pressure, or interference. Any attempt to derail or delay the electoral process will be strictly dealt with under the law to ensure continuity of democracy.
The resolution paid tribute to the sacrifices of Jammu and Kashmir refugees residing in Pakistan for the Kashmir freedom movement, describing it as a struggle for the completion of Pakistan.
It acknowledged the historical and constitutional representation of Kashmir refugees residing in Pakistan, while noting that certain electoral complexities could be addressed through legislative reforms in the Assembly to make the process more acceptable to all political stakeholders.
It further stated that constitutional reforms fall under the exclusive mandate of elected representatives; therefore, such matters should be left to the Legislative Assembly. However, it called for a broad-based consultative process involving all stakeholders, including political parties, bar associations, bar councils, civil society, and constitutional experts.
The APC was attended by prominent political leaders including Opposition Leader and PML-N President Shah Ghulam Qadir, PPP President Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin, Muslim Conference President Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan, former Prime Ministers Raja Muhammad Farooq Haider Khan and Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan, former Presidents Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan and Sardar Masood Khan, ministers including Mian Abdul Waheed, Javed Iqbal Budhanvi, Qasim Majeed, and Nabila Ayub, as well as several members of the Legislative Assembly, party leaders, and representatives of various religious and legal organizations.
