ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Thursday called for resolving the ongoing protests in Azad Kashmir through dialogue, emphasizing that the Kashmir issue will not be allowed to weaken.
Addressing the National Assembly, Asif said that while his party had engaged with former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the system was never compromised, and all avenues, including the courts, were utilized. He noted that even non-political members of Sharif’s family had faced imprisonment.
He criticized PTI for not contributing to national issues or legislation, stating that the party had attempted to undermine parliamentary respect and acted in the interest of a single individual. However, he added that some PTI members did not support such actions.
Asif stressed that no party or individual is above the law and warned that any attempt to disrespect parliamentary proceedings would harm everyone. “Protests are permissible, but disrupting assembly sessions is unacceptable,” he said.
Highlighting Pakistan’s sacrifices for Kashmir, he said over 250,000 Kashmiri refugees had been martyred while crossing the border, and the entire nation had contributed to Azad Kashmir. He further stated that the stakes of 250 million Pakistanis are involved in the Kashmir issue, and it must be addressed through dialogue rather than elections alone.
“Taking the law into one’s own hands cannot be tolerated. How can citizens be excluded from democratic processes?” he asked. Reiterating Pakistan’s commitment, Asif said the country continues to safeguard the “freedom” implied in Azad Kashmir and warned that the Kashmir issue, described by Quaid-e-Azam as Pakistan’s “jugular vein,” will never be weakened.
