Lahore (HRNW)- Former Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique has said that while the development needs of Azad Kashmir are legitimate, the country’s entire budget cannot be allocated to one region because the needs of the whole nation must be considered.
Speaking to the media in Lahore, Khawaja Saad Rafique described the recent situation in parts of Azad Kashmir, where protesters and state institutions came face to face, as unfortunate. He attributed the crisis to years of poor governance and unresolved public issues.
He said that although some demands of the Public Action Committee were justified, others could not be accepted. According to him, electricity is already being supplied to Azad Kashmir at subsidized rates through federal government grants. He added that while development projects in the region are necessary, their implementation should be discussed within a realistic timeframe, as national resources must serve the entire country.
Khawaja Saad Rafique also claimed that the situation worsened when certain individuals began making statements against Pakistan from protest platforms. He emphasized that the sacrifices made by Kashmiri refugees could not be ignored and rejected any suggestion of abolishing refugee seats, stating that Pakistan has consistently supported the Kashmir cause.
He further said that issues related to Pakistan’s accession clause could not be compromised under any circumstances and stressed that Pakistan has made significant sacrifices over the decades in support of Kashmir.
The former minister acknowledged that tensions had intensified and resulted in casualties, but maintained that dialogue remained the only viable solution. He urged all parties to de-escalate the situation and continue negotiations.
Referring to the Azad Kashmir elections scheduled for July 27, he expressed hope that the polls would be held peacefully and said the newly elected assembly should engage all stakeholders to resolve outstanding issues.
Khawaja Saad Rafique said the elections would not only determine political representation but would also reflect the relationship between Pakistan and Azad Kashmir. He added that strong voter participation would help strengthen that relationship.
Commenting on political parties, he said the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) would be the main competitors in the elections, while expressing the view that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) should also have taken part in the electoral process.
He concluded by saying that just as political parties accepted the election outcome in Gilgit-Baltistan, the results of the Azad Kashmir elections should also be respected by all stakeholders.
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