Calls for categorization of those contributing to Kashmir’s cause, says accession remarks weaken Pakistan’s position
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif on Wednesday stood by his latest controversial remarks on Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), calling for a clear distinction between those who had sacrificed for the Kashmir cause and those who had not.
In a televised interview, Asif said that Rawalakot – which has seen protests led by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) – was “not Kashmir” and that he did not consider its residents Kashmiris. He later clarified the remarks at X, saying that “Kashmiriat is defined by the sacrifices and struggles waged over nearly eight decades” by Pakistanis, Kashmiris and others, “not by birth certificates”.
The controversy spilled over to the National Assembly earlier in the day, where PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and PPP MNA Raja Pervaiz Ashraf slammed Asif for his remarks.
Read: Asif warns against ‘anti-Pak agenda’ in AJK
Reacting to the criticism of private television program Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sathsaid the minister resolutely, “Bilawal has the right to say anything, I have no reservations about it, that is the beauty of democracy. When politicians criticize each other on the floor of the assembly or even in the media, I think it is a sign of the success of the system.
“I welcome the criticism and rest my point of view – right or wrong, but right in my opinion – I stand by it.”
He criticized the actions of JAAC in AJK and accused its members of mishandling bodies.
“Action committee members not only caused death of people but also desecrated their bodies. Then one of the committee members said that while bodies are being returned from Balochistan, we will not return these bodies from Kashmir,” he said.
The minister also criticized the committee’s demand to remove references to AJK’s accession to Pakistan from official provisions.
“If such voices start emerging from our side of Kashmir, it undermines our position on a referendum. Such statements are good for India.”
Reiterating his stand on the issue of language, Asif said he stood by his earlier remarks and maintained that the language spoken in parts of AJK was different from the Kashmiri spoken in the Valley.
“The issue of language is completely different. The language spoken in some parts of Punjab is also spoken in certain areas of Azad Kashmir. However, Kashmiri is a completely different language spoken in the valley and in many parts of Azad Kashmir.”
“Those who migrated from there speak that language, but in areas adjacent to Punjab, Kashmiri is not spoken. Instead, the language of Pakistan’s Potohar region is spoken there.”
Also read: Bilawal, Fazl slams Khawaja Asif over AJK remarks during heated NA session
The defense minister said there should be a clear categorization between those who had sacrificed, those who continued to do so and those who had migrated and lived elsewhere.
“I believe that categorization is my right and also the right of the people who are still sacrificing in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.”
Referring to the issue of reserved seats for migrants, Asif accused unnamed political forces of supporting protesting elements for political gains.
He said some parties believed that a larger number of seats in Punjab could increase their political influence, describing the matter as “all politics”.
Asked about Fazl, who was approached by JAAC to mediate with the government, the minister said he respected the veteran politician’s role.
“I respect Maulana’s policy. If his efforts can help find a solution, it is for the government to decide. Personally, I have no objection to Maulana’s mediation.”
Asif also expressed support for resolving issues through negotiations.
“I believe in dialogue, but at the same time I also believe in expressing my views. Whether someone agrees with them or not, I respect their opinion.”
Responding to a question regarding Fazl’s appeal to protesters to end their sit-in, the minister said he did not mind contacts between the JUI-F chief, the government and political groups in AJK.
“If there are talks with the maulana, be it our party or political elements in Kashmir, who am I to object?”
Background
The latest unrest and deadly clashes erupted in areas including Rawalakot where the JAAC had held a sit-in outside the Combined Military Hospital Rawalakot. AJK police claim that armed JAAC members opened fire on deployed law enforcers in a planned attack, leaving four people dead and around 20 injured. JAAC, however, disputes this account and claims that security forces used tear gas and fired grenades at the hospital.
According to the AJK police, three people associated with JAAC and four policemen were killed during the protests. However, JAAC said in a statement on the X that seven people were killed and dozens were injured when street shelling was carried out in the dark after power was reportedly cut.
The clash came as the AJK government and JAAC witnessed a face-off when the election date for AJK was announced on July 27.
Read more: Certain elements seeking to destabilize AJK despite repeated offers of dialogue: Rana Sanaullah
AJK’s 53-member legislature includes 12 seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees – people who fled Indian-controlled Kashmir in 1947 and 1965 and are now spread across Pakistan. Six seats represent refugees from the Jammu division (~434,000 people) and six from the Kashmir Valley (~30,000 people) – an already lopsided arrangement that many see as unfair.
The region experienced one of its most turbulent periods last October, when protests led by JAAC broke out over demands for constitutional and government reforms. At least nine people, including three policemen, were killed during the unrest.
JAAC, which organized the protests and strike, had presented a comprehensive charter of demands, including an end to the privileges enjoyed by the ruling elite, the abolition of 12 assembly spaces reserved for refugees and the abolition of the quota system.
Two days after the violence, the government and JAAC reached an agreement covering 12 core points and 13 additional points. Under the agreement, both sides agreed to set up a high-level committee to look into the issue of refugee seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly
