Dadyal: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said the Kashmir crisis can only be resolved through a political process, urging all stakeholders to prioritise dialogue and democratic engagement to address the challenges facing the region.
Addressing a public rally in Dadyal, Bilawal described the prevailing situation as a difficult test for both Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Pakistan. He said the foremost responsibility of political leaders is to serve the people, represent their concerns and work towards resolving public issues through constitutional and democratic means.
He stressed that political disputes require political solutions, adding that it is the duty of elected representatives to ensure the voices and concerns of the Kashmiri people reach the federal government in Islamabad.
The PPP chairman warned that political instability creates space for non-political and extremist elements to exploit the situation, making it even more important for democratic forces to engage in constructive dialogue.
Bilawal said that if the people of Kashmir place their trust in the PPP, the party will continue to advocate for their rights and make every effort to achieve a peaceful and political settlement of the Kashmir issue.
Calling for restraint from all sides, he appealed to protesters to temporarily suspend their demonstrations until the commission investigating the matter completes its inquiry and submits its findings. He also urged the government to refrain from further action until the commission concludes its work.
While reaffirming that peaceful protest is a constitutional and democratic right, Bilawal said demonstrations should not disrupt the supply of essential goods or create hardships for ordinary citizens. He added that the actions of a few individuals should not become a reason for collective punishment of the wider population.
He said the people of Kashmir are the ones suffering the most from the ongoing crisis and urged all parties to act responsibly and work together to minimise public difficulties.
Bilawal further said Pakistan has the potential to play a constructive role in promoting peace and stability in the region. He added that while maintaining the writ of the state remains the government’s responsibility, authorities must also adopt effective measures to resolve public grievances.
Reaffirming the PPP’s long-standing stance on Kashmir, Bilawal said the struggle for the rights of the Kashmiri people would continue, adding that the right to self-governance remains a central pillar of the party’s manifesto.
Commenting on regional politics, he said there is a widespread perception that the political party in power in Islamabad also forms governments in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir. According to him, this political approach has contributed to many of the governance challenges faced by both regions.
Bilawal maintained that the PPP remains committed to securing the people’s right to self-governance and pledged to continue taking practical steps to safeguard the rights of Kashmiris while working for lasting solutions to their problems.
