The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly has unanimously adopted resolutions condemning India’s August, 5, 2019, decision to revoke the special constitutional status of Indian-administered Kashmir and called for the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to address the political situation in AJK.
AJK assembly condemns India’s 2019 Kashmir Move, calls for reconciliation commission
MIRPUR (AJK), Jul 30 (APP):The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly has unanimously adopted resolutions condemning India’s August, 5, 2019, decision to revoke the special constitutional status of Indian-administered Kashmir and called for the establishment of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to address the political situation in AJK.
The meeting under Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar, the Assembly reaffirmed support for the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination in line with United Nations Security Council resolutions.
The lawmakers described India’s revocation of Articles 370 and 35A as a violation of international commitments and condemned continuing human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammua and Kashmir (IIOJK), including restrictions on civil liberties, arrests, enforced disappearances and the use of force against civilians.
The House urged the international community to support implementation of U.N. resolutions on Kashmir and called for a peaceful resolution of the long-running dispute.
The lawmakers also paid tributes to Pakistan’s armed forces as the success of Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos and praised Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for his leadership.
The assembly also commended Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for raising the Kashmir issue at international forums.
Former AJK president and prime minister Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan introduced a separate resolution criticizing reported remarks by Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif about the situation in Rawalakot.
The resolution urged Pakistan’s prime minister to take notice of the matter and called for implementation of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s proposal to establish a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, suspend further action in Rawalakot pending confidence-building measures, and ensure transparent elections in Mirpur Division by addressing alleged irregularities.
Earlier, Education Minister Dewan Ali Khan Chughtai, responding to a question from opposition legislator Khawaja Farooq Ahmed, said responsibility for preserving and promoting AJK’s regional and indigenous languages lies with the AJK Cultural Academy under the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Academy Act, 2016.
The Assembly also discussed poor telecommunications and mobile network services after a notice raised by legislator Nisara Abbasi.
Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar directed the Assembly Secretariat to take up the issue with the relevant authorities. Opposition lawmakers said unreliable mobile and internet services were creating difficulties for residents, particularly students and people working online.
During the debate, Minister Nabeela Ayub said the people of Jammu and Kashmir had linked their future with Pakistan through the accession resolution before Pakistan’s creation.
PPP AJK President Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin reiterated support for establishing a Truth and Reconciliation Commission and called for accountability and transparent elections.
