Business Recorder

Bilawal calls for dialogue to resolve AJK political crisis, meeting with PM likely

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Sunday expressed concern over the prevailing political situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and stressed that all issues should be resolved through dialogue and political consultation. He said that he would meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss the situation and seek a solution through consultation and parliamentary mechanisms. Chairing a meeting of the PPP Azad Kashmir parliamentary party at Zardari House in Islamabad, Bilawal reviewed the evolving political situation in the region and held detailed consultations with party lawmakers and leaders. The meeting was attended by PPP AJK political affairs in-charge Faryal Talpur, AJK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, former AJK president Sardar Yaqoob Khan, Chaudhry Yasin, Chaudhry Latif Akbar, Sardar Tanveer Ilyas and other party leaders. During the meeting, members of the parliamentary party presented their proposals and concerns regarding the recent political developments in AJK. Bilawal and Faryal Talpur listened to the recommendations and discussed possible ways forward. Expressing concern over the situation, Bilawal said the PPP had always prioritised the rights and welfare of the people of Kashmir, adding that political matters should be settled through dialogue rather than confrontation. According to party sources, the meeting agreed that political issues in Azad Kashmir should be addressed through dialogue and negotiations. Sources also indicated that an important meeting involving President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is likely to take place soon to discuss the matter, Aaj News reported.