Addressing a consultative meeting on the Kashmir situation in Islamabad, Hafiz Naeem said political dialogue is the only viable path to resolving the crisis and restoring public confidence.
‘We do not need political point-scoring at such a sensitive moment. It is the responsibility of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to begin dialogue immediately,’ he said. He warned that if the government failed to engage in talks within three days, Jamaat-e-Islami would take the initiative by leading a public jirga to Kashmir.
Public Trust Has Been Eroded
Hafiz Naeem said the root cause of the current unrest in Azad Kashmir is the erosion of public trust. ‘When the value of the vote is undermined, such situations become inevitable,’ he remarked, adding that democratic institutions cannot function effectively if political opposition is weakened.
He questioned the concentration of political power, saying that while discussions often focus on 12 seats, little attention is paid to who controls the remaining 33 seats. The Jamaat-e-Islami chief stressed that the state must respect public opinion and empower citizens rather than concentrating authority in the hands of a few individuals.
Dialogue Over Confrontation
Hafiz Naeem revealed that his party had held discussions with the Joint Action Committee, adding that the consultations had created an opening for negotiations. ‘There is broad consensus that dialogue should be given a chance. This is not the time for confrontation or further action,’ he said.
He urged authorities to address the underlying causes of public grievances instead of responding only to their consequences.
Call to Resolve Public Issues
The Jamaat-e-Islami leader said no one could deny the existence of genuine public concerns and called for reforms to improve governance. He emphasized that criticism should not be directed against Pakistan or the sacrifices made by the people of Kashmir, but rather toward correcting flaws within the system.
Hafiz Naeem also called for equal opportunities for all citizens and urged the government to address the challenges facing young people, arguing that empowering youth would strengthen both Pakistan and Kashmir. Addressing Kashmiri youth directly, he said Pakistan remains open to them and that Pakistanis consider the people of Kashmir an integral part of the nation.
Dr. Muhammad Mushtaq Calls for Peaceful Resolution
Earlier, Dr. Muhammad Mushtaq, Emir of Jamaat-e-Islami Azad Jammu and Kashmir, stressed the importance of resolving differences through negotiations. ‘We must stop the bloodshed in Kashmir through dialogue,’ he said.
Dr. Mushtaq accused India of exploiting the Kashmir issue against Pakistan and praised Hafiz Naeem Ur Rehman s mediation efforts. He expressed hope that constructive dialogue would help preserve the historic and strategic relationship between Pakistan and Kashmir.
