ISLAMABAD: PPP and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) on Tuesday decided to jointly contest the forthcoming general elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

Earlier this month, the AJK Election Commission announced that the general elections across the region would be held on July 27. The last elections in the region were held in July 2021.

The two political parties announced the decision after PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari called on JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman at his residence in Islamabad and later held a media talk.

Speaking to the media, Bilawal formally announced an electoral alliance between the two parties.

“The alliance marks a new chapter in political cooperation between the two parties,” he said.

He emphasised that the issues of AJK should be resolved through peaceful and democratic means.

“Legitimate concerns of the Kashmiri people should be addressed through parliament and the electoral process rather than through unrest on the streets,” the PPP chairman said.

Expressing gratitude to the JUI-F chief, Bilawal said he had always had the opportunity to learn from the Fazl’s experience, praising his constructive role during difficult times.

The PPP chairman said that if the JUI-F chief, while sitting in the opposition, was willing to play a positive role for the country, then the government and treasury benches were also ready to engage him in dialogue.

Bilawal said the election schedule for AJK had already been announced and stressed that the polls must be “peaceful, transparent and free” of any controversy so that the problems faced by the people of Kashmir could be effectively addressed.

He said that instead of long marches, strikes and protests, political issues should be raised and resolved through democratic institutions.

Bilawal expressed his desire to see the PPP and JUI-F form coalition governments in Balochistan, Sindh and AJK in the future.

“I request the JUI-F chief to consult with his party so that both parties can work together wherever an alliance is possible,” the PPP chairman said.

The Bhutto scion added that resolving the ongoing crisis in AJK required a joint effort by the federal government, the AJK government, and all political parties.

Addressing protesters in AJK, Bilawal urged them to remain peaceful and refrain from taking the law into their own hands, emphasising that lasting solutions lie in parliament and the democratic electoral process, not on the streets.

Meanwhile, the JUI-F leader welcomed Bilawal’s invitation to join the alliance for the AJK polls.

“The visit of Bilawal (to his residence) is a good development,” he said.

Responding to a question on whether they were in favour of refugee seats in the AJK Assembly, Fazl said the issue could be settled through dialogue.

“Guns and batons are not the solution to any problem, but dialogue,” he added.

On Sunday, the PPP announced candidates for 35 of the 45 seats of the AJK Assembly, while withholding decisions on eight constituencies and allocating two seats to its electoral ally — the JUI-F.