ISLAMABAD: Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has intensified political consultations to help resolve the ongoing crisis in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), holding separate meetings with PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Mahmood Khan Achakzai, and former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.

The meetings were held against the backdrop of the deteriorating situation in AJK and the mediation offer extended by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC). The PTI delegation comprised former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser, former AJK PM Abdul Qayyum Niazi, and ex-AJK Assembly speaker Khawaja Farooq.

The delegation accompanying Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai included Tehreek-i-Tahaffuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan leaders Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar and party spokesperson Akhundzada Hussain Yousafzai.

Speaking alongside Barrister Gohar, Hafiz Naeemur said the entire country was deeply concerned about the situation in AJK, adding that the Kashmir issue was linked to Pakistan’s decades-old national cause and should not be allowed to suffer.

Calls for dialogue, restoration of essential supplies to ease tensions

The JI chief said there were two possible approaches: allowing the situation to worsen or for responsible political leadership to step forward and “pour water on the fire”.

“The government should also move forward in this regard. If the situation reaches a point of no return, it will cause serious damage,” he warned.

He stressed that although the government and protesters may have different positions, the underlying causes of public anger also needed to be addressed.

“People become frustrated when their public mandate is not respected,” he said.

Barrister Gohar welcomed Hafiz Naeemur Rehman and his delegation, saying all political forces agreed that the Kashmir cause must not suffer.

He stressed the need to restore the supply of essential commodities and said opposition parties would work together through political engagement to help improve the situation.

Following his meeting with Mehmood Khan Achakzai, Hafiz Naeem said peace must be given a chance, warning that failure to resolve the crisis could create divisions that would become increasingly difficult to bridge. Mr Achakzai said the Constitution guaranteed the right to peaceful protest but noted that a serious gap had developed between the government and the JAAC.

Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar said the entire country was concerned about the situation in AJK and appreciated JI’s mediation efforts.

During his meeting with former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Hafiz Naeem said the JI had initiated consultations with senior politicians, the government, and other stakeholders to help find a peaceful solution to the crisis.

Published in Dawn, June 28th, 2026