ISLAMABAD: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has appealed to the banned Awami Action Committee to refrain from taking any further action for the time being and to allow a few more days for efforts aimed at resolving the ongoing standoff through dialogue.
In a message addressed to the committee, Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that the organization had been staging a sit-in in Rawalakot and surrounding areas for nearly a month to press the government to accept its demands. He acknowledged that the committee had maintained its protest to seek redress of its grievances but noted that several unfortunate incidents had occurred during this period, creating tension and bitterness in the overall atmosphere.
The JUI-F chief said the sit-in and the committee’s demands had also been discussed in Parliament. He revealed that the Awami Action Committee had requested him to act as a mediator between the protesters and the government, expressing gratitude for the confidence they had placed in him to help facilitate a peaceful resolution.
According to Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Maulana Saeed Yousaf Khan, a senior leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, remained in constant contact with him throughout the process. He also acknowledged the role of tribal elder Kamran Azam Khan from Rawalakot, who kept him informed of developments on the ground.
The JUI-F leader said that despite ongoing discussions with both the government and the protesting committee, he had deliberately refrained from making public announcements about the next steps in order to avoid complicating the negotiations.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman disclosed that he had recently spoken with Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who is currently in Muzaffarabad. He said the two leaders had met about a week to ten days earlier, and their latest conversation was a continuation of those discussions.
During the conversation, Bilawal Bhutto reportedly briefed Maulana Fazlur Rehman on his own efforts to help resolve the situation and his contacts with the government. According to Fazlur Rehman, Bilawal informed him that discussions with the authorities were still ongoing and that no final breakthrough had yet been achieved.
He said Bilawal Bhutto emphasized that his primary objective was to prevent bloodshed, avoid violence and unrest, and find a peaceful solution through negotiations. Bilawal also reportedly conveyed that he remained actively engaged in consultations and requested additional time to continue talks with the government.
In light of these developments, Maulana Fazlur Rehman renewed his appeal to the Awami Action Committee, urging its leadership and supporters to avoid announcing any further protest measures or escalation for the next few days. He expressed hope that this period would allow negotiations to make meaningful progress.
He stressed that if the ongoing efforts result in a positive outcome, it would not only benefit Pakistan but also contribute to stability in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. A successful resolution, he said, would strengthen mutual trust between the people of Kashmir and the people of Pakistan while preventing further deterioration of the situation.
The JUI-F chief underscored the importance of dialogue over confrontation, saying peaceful engagement remained the best path toward addressing political disputes and public grievances. He noted that all stakeholders should prioritize negotiations and avoid actions that could inflame tensions or lead to violence.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman concluded by expressing optimism that the Awami Action Committee would respond positively to his appeal. He voiced hope that with patience, continued communication, and sincere efforts by all parties involved, a mutually acceptable solution could be reached without further conflict, preserving peace and fostering greater confidence between the government and the people of the region.
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