MUZAFFARABAD: A delegation from the Young Parliamentarians Forum (YPF) of Pakistan visited the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly on Monday to strengthen cooperation and launch joint initiatives, beginning with a collaborative strategy on the Kashmir cause.

Led by YPF President Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar, the delegation included Parliamentary Secretary Barrister Daniyal Chaudhry, and MNAs Abdul Qadir Gilani, Raja Osama Ashfaq, Kiran Dar and Dr Shaista Jadoon.

During discussions, AJK Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar commended the longstanding support of every Pakistani government for Kashmiris’ right to self-determination and expressed hope that young parliamentarians would help raise awareness among the youth about the significance and history of the Kashmir issue.

The speaker encouraged them to leverage all available platforms, including the National Assembly and Senate, to spotlight the ongoing situation in occupied Kashmir and human rights violations by Indian forces.

“Young parliamentarians should develop an assertive policy in close coordination with their counterparts in AJK to collaboratively work toward resolving the Kashmir issue,” he urged.

Mr Akbar assured the delegation that the AJK government would provide them with literature on the Kashmir situation to support their advocacy efforts.

“With media restrictions preventing the world from seeing the truth about occupied Kashmir, we must become the voice of the Kashmiris and reveal the reality to the world,” he stressed.

In response, Ms Iftikhar said: “Pakistan’s bond with Kashmiris is unbreakable, and together we will strengthen this relationship further by ensuring basic amenities to people at the grassroots through mutual cooperation.”

She pledged that the YPF would work with AJK legislators on various issues, including legislation, education, and healthcare, beginning with a united strategy on Kashmir.

She also invited AJK legislators to visit the National Assembly to build a foundation for shared goals.

Barrister Daniyal underscored the importance of the connection with Kashmir, saying, “Strengthening this bond through inter-parliamentary coordination is essential.”

MNA Gilani affirmed that young parliamentarians would dedicate their energies to national development and prosperity in partnership with AJK lawmakers.

While highlighting his personal commitment to women’s empowerment, he said YPF was being headed by a female with a commendable leadership.

MNA Dar, herself of Kashmiri heritage, noted that the Kashmir issue had consistently been a priority in the manifestos of all Pakistani political parties. She also reiterated the offer to AJK lawmakers to visit the National Assembly with a view to devising strategy for a joint platform.

Dr Jadoon recalled her involvement in relief efforts in AJK after the 2005 earthquake, and underscored the need to deepen ties with Kashmiris.

“We have to further our relations with the Kashmiris and YPF will work for it,” she said.

MNA Ashfaq echoed similar sentiments.

From the host side, PPP regional secretary-general and Minister for Local Government and Rural Development Faisal Mumtaz Rathore and Minister for Religious Affairs Ahmed Raza Qadri from the PML-N shared their thoughts as well as respective achievements and ongoing efforts.

Mr Qadri also praised the spirit of political tolerance in AJK, where his party and the PPP had formed a coalition with former PTI members who now identify as PTI’s forward bloc.

Opposition lawmaker Sardar Hassan Ibrahim, head of the regional Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Party (JKPP), stressed the importance of collective advocacy for the Kashmir cause, saying the sacred mission of freedom of Kashmir would be accomplished through bilateral coordination.

Other cabinet members present during the meeting included Syed Bazil Ali Naqvi, Amir Yaseen Chaudhry, Chaudhry Qasim Majeed from the PPP, Sardar Amir Altaf, Nisara Abbasi from PML-N, and Deputy Speaker Chaudhry Riaz from the PTI dissidents.

Earlier, Special Secretary Amjed Latif Abbasi briefed the delegation on the history, significance and constitutional amendments enacted by the AJK Assembly.

Published in Dawn, November 12th, 2024