AJK Government Defends Refugee Rights in Assembly
The AJK government's decision to defend refugee rights is seen as a crucial step in protecting the interests of Kashmiri refugees and ensuring their participation in the region's political process. The move is expected to have significant implications for the Kashmir freedom movement and the ongoing efforts to resolve the Kashmir dispute.
The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government has rejected calls to deprive refugees of their rights, with Minister for Auqaf and Religious Affairs Ahmad Raza Qadri stating that refugees are a fundamental part of the Kashmir issue. Qadri emphasized that refugees have historical ties to the region and cannot be denied their constitutional, legal, and moral rights.
The AJK government allocates 12 seats for refugees, recognizing their importance in the Kashmir issue. The minister stressed that any attempt to deny refugees their right to vote or state rights would be a conspiracy. AJK Minister Ahmed Raza defends refugee seats in AJK assembly, terming their abolition as part of a plot to divide the people and weaken the Kashmir freedom movement.
He says the 12 assembly seats for Pakistan-based refugees from India-held Jammu and Kashmir are constitutionally protected and represent the entire state, not just the liberated territory. Raza claims that nearly one million refugees are a fundamental party to the Kashmir dispute and have the right to vote and representation. He warns that abolishing these seats could exclude refugees from a future plebiscite and undermine their long-standing association with the state.
The minister also calls for unity in the face of Indian hostility, saying that internal differences should not weaken the cause of Kashmir's freedom. The AJK government's stance on refugee rights is a significant development in the ongoing Kashmir issue, and its implications will be closely watched in the coming days.