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Nawaz Sharif urges AJK protesters to end demonstrations, seek dialogue
🇵🇰 Pakistan /Culture & Society

Nawaz Sharif urges AJK protesters to end demonstrations, seek dialogue

From Dawn · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • PML-N President Nawaz Sharif urged protesters in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) to end demonstrations and engage in dialogue with the government.
  • Sharif emphasized the civil liberties and democratic rights of AJK's people under the Interim Constitution Act of 1974.
  • The appeal comes amid tensions over refugee seats, inflation, electricity tariffs, and the cost of living, which have led to fatal clashes.

PML-N President Nawaz Sharif has called for an end to protests and sit-ins in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), urging for meaningful dialogue with the government. Sharif highlighted that the people of AJK possess full civil liberties and democratic rights under the Interim Constitution Act of 1974.

Under the Interim Constitution Act of 1974, the people of AJK enjoy full civil liberties and democratic rights. I urge them to end sit-ins and protests and instead engage in meaningful dialogue.

— Nawaz SharifDuring a meeting in Lahore convened to deliberate the political and administrative situation in Kashmir.

His remarks came during a meeting in Lahore attended by senior PML-N leaders from AJK, convened to discuss the region's political and administrative situation. The party's AJK chapter had requested Sharif's intervention to help resolve the emerging issues. Sharif expressed hope for collective efforts from the AJK people, the AJK government, the Pakistan government, and all political parties to restore peace and advance the electoral process, with AJK elections scheduled for the end of next month.

I hope that the people of AJK, the AJK government, the government of Pakistan, and all political parties will collectively contribute to restoring peace in the region and advancing the electoral process.

— Nawaz SharifAccording to a statement issued after the meeting.

Sharif also stressed the importance of utilizing all resources for the welfare of AJK's residents and conducting any public rights movements within the constitutional framework. The region has recently experienced significant political and social unrest, including protests concerning 12 reserved refugee seats in the legislative assembly, inflation, electricity tariffs, and the rising cost of living. These tensions have resulted in clashes that claimed lives, including those of security personnel.

We have always prioritised the constitutional and fundamental rights of the people of AJK, as well as the region’s development and prosperity.

— Nawaz SharifReiterating the PML-N's stance on the Kashmir issue.

The PML-N leader reiterated the party's principled stance on the Kashmir issue, advocating for the right to self-determination in line with UN resolutions. He assured that the party would continue to prioritize the constitutional and fundamental rights, development, and prosperity of AJK. Sharif also conveyed deep sorrow over the recent loss of lives, emphasizing that such a situation should have been avoided and that all citizens must coexist peacefully. He acknowledged the sacrifices made by the people of Kashmir for Pakistan and appealed for the maintenance of their ideological and emotional bond with Pakistan, urging them to remain peaceful.

Such a situation should never have arisen. This country belongs to all of us, and we must live together as brothers.

— Nawaz SharifExpressing sorrow over the loss of lives in recent incidents.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dawn in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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