MUZAFFARABAD: A delegation of post-1989 refugees from Indian-held Jammu and Kashmir met with visiting members of the Parliamentary Special Committee on Kashmir, presenting a 13-point “charter of demands” to address longstanding issues related to the resettlement and welfare of their community.

The delegation, which included Uzair Ahmed Ghazali, Syed Hamid Jamil, Mohammad Shafi Kashmiri, Mohammad Altaf Chaudhry and Usman Ali Hashim, expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Kashmir freedom movement. They noted that the Kashmiri people also hold deep affection and devotion toward Pakistan.

Briefing the committee’s chairman, Rana Qasim Noon, and other members on the current situation in occupied Kashmir amid ongoing Indian repression, the delegation said that more than 8,300 migrant families— totalling 45,210 individuals — were currently residing in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

They said that while 2,870 families lived in rented accommodations outside the camps, majority were spread across 18 refugee camps in various towns, primarily in Muzaffarabad and Bagh.

The delegation highlighted that in the 1990s, each refugee family was allocated roughly three marlas in these camps.

“However, after over three decades, many families have expanded into multiple households, resulting in severely cramped living conditions within the same limited space,” the delegation maintained, adding that more than 1,800 families were forced to live in overcrowded settlements, exceeding the camps’ intended capacities.

The delegation informed the committee members that the AJK government was providing a monthly subsistence allowance of Rs3,500 per refugee, which must cover essential expenses including education, healthcare, food, utility bills, and rent etc.

They reminded the committee of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s commitment, made during a visit to Muzaffarabad in 2021-22 when he was in opposition, to raise this allowance from Rs3,500 to Rs5,000 per person once in office, urging that this promise should now be honoured.

In presenting their charter of demands, the delegation called upon the committee to take decisive steps to address the issues faced by post-1989 Kashmiri migrants, alleviate their deep-seated sense of neglect, and improve their living conditions.

Mr Ghazali toldDawnthat the chairman and committee members were sympathetic, describing Kashmiris as “brothers” and acknowledging their struggles.

“Mr Noon has assured us that a detailed report will be submitted to Prime Minister Sharif to seek swift, constructive measures for resolution,” he said.

Two days ago, the committee members had visited Manak Piyyan, one of the 18 camps, to assess first-hand the challenges faced by post-1989 migrants.

Speaking to a gathering during the visit, Mr Noon and Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry had acknowledged the hardships of those living in overcrowded camps and said the Kashmir Committee would actively work to ease their difficulties.

Refugees were also informed by them that a special “Refugee Subcommittee” had been established to prioritise and address their concerns.

Published in Dawn, November 10th, 2024