Metro53 - GUJRAT: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) senior leader Khawaja Saad Rafique has stressed the need for a transparent electoral process in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), saying Kashmiris should be allowed to exercise their right to vote without interference.
Addressing a meeting of workers from LA Jammu-5 in Gujrat, Mr Rafique said the country was currently operating under what he described as a "hybrid system" and emphasised that Kashmiris' legitimate concerns should be addressed through dialogue.
He paid tribute to the sacrifices of the Kashmiri people, saying they had rendered immense sacrifices in their struggle for freedom and remained among Pakistan's strongest supporters. He also criticised the governance situation in AJK, claiming that poor governance had contributed to the current political challenges.
The former federal minister said the situation deteriorated after "a single MLA was made prime minister," adding that political leadership should speak the complete truth, as "half-truths only worsen circumstances."
Mr Rafique said wars were not fought by armed forces alone but by entire nations, which ultimately bore the consequences of conflict. He maintained that Kashmiris must be granted their democratic right to vote and that no obstacles should be created in the electoral process.
He urged Kashmiri political stakeholders to pursue their demands through democratic means, while discouraging lockdowns and other actions that could further aggravate the situation. "An environment for dialogue on the Kashmir issue must be created, but unfortunately that has yet to happen," he said.
Mr Rafique said disregarding Kashmiri votes would amount to denying the importance of Kashmir itself. He also maintained that no individual should be labelled a traitor merely because of a differing political viewpoint.
Reaffirming Pakistan's support for Kashmir, he said Pakistan was a nuclear power and remained the protector and advocate of the Kashmiri people, describing Kashmir as the country's "base camp."
Commenting on recent political developments, he said holding even a gathering of 500 people had become difficult because "a few individuals, in the name of a public movement, had created an unfavourable environment."
Mr Rafique clarified that he currently held no government position and had no official role in the administration, but reiterated that a peaceful solution to the Kashmir dispute was essential. He alleged that India was attempting to exploit the prevailing situation and urged all stakeholders to work towards a resolution of the longstanding issue.
Referring to local politics, he said that although he and Abid Raza Kotla had lost previous elections, their political standing had strengthened. He concluded by saying political workers endured hardships with patience and should not respond to abuse with abuse.
