Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah once termed Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) as the jugular vein of Pakistan. Similarly, people of Kashmir especially the masses of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) consider Pakistan as its representative at international level. They are expecting the role of Pakistan for their liberation. But, the sad situation is that the federal government and the government of AJK have come face to face against each other.
The problem began when the Prime Minister AJK, Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan staged a protest during the speech of Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif in Mangla. The behind the scene story was that the Prime Minister AJK, Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan was not informed regarding the visit of Shehbaz Sharif. According to official protocols of Prime Minister it is inevitable for the Prime Minister of AJK to be there if the Prime Minister of Pakistan is visiting the state. But, this time the Prime Minister of AJK was not informed regarding this visit. But, when he came to know that PM Shehbaz Sharif will visit Mangla then he reached there to respectfully receive the Premier. But, during the speech of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, AJK’s PM registered a protest as Shehbaz Sharif did not mention the sacrifices of people of IIOJK during his speech. On Monday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated the refurbishment project of units 5 and 6 of the Mangla Dam Hydroelectric Power Plant, built on the Jhelum river in Mangla area of AJK. He also addressed a ceremony, where the exchange with the AJK premier occurred. As PM Shehbaz was winding up his speech, he was interrupted by Mr Ilyas. In a video clip that went viral on social media, PM Shehbaz could be seen gesturing to the AJK premier to sit down and raise his concerns after the speech. According to a witness, after wrapping up his speech, PM Shehbaz hurriedly left the venue without heeding Mr Ilyas, who tried his best to get the premier’s attention, but to no avail. After this program Sardar Tanveer Ilyas addressed a press conference and criticized PM Shehbaz Sharif while using the harsh words.
The conduct of PM AJK during the speech of Shehbaz Sharif was not good. But, what the PM Shehbaz had done till that time was also not so good. Even the response which was shown later on by the PM Shehbaz Sharif and the federal government was also very condemnable. Federal government while using the authority of Capital Development Authority (CDA) sealed the biggest shopping mall of Islamabad just because of the fact that it is owned by the Prime Minister of AJK. However, CDA had to reopen the mall later on.
Federal government and AJK government are openly using harsh words against each other despite knowing the fact that such circumstances are sending very negative message on other side of the Line of Control (LoC). AJK is a disputed territory and Indian fake propaganda against Pakistan’s stance over AJK is already at its peak. In such a situation sending such a negative message to other side of LoC is very harmful for the national integration. Both the governments should settle down the matter in good manners instead of exchanging below the belt words.
Published in Daily Country News, December 7th, 2022