Bilawal Bhutto Zardari Writes to Joint Awami Action Committee

On July 16, 2026, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari wrote to the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC).

The proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) on Wednesday deferred its planned long march on Muzaffarabad for one week. This decision followed back-channel contacts involving influential intermediaries, raising hopes for a negotiated settlement to the ongoing standoff. Key JAAC leaders held hours-long talks with a mediation team comprising Syed Qamar Raza, Chaudhry Zafar Anwar, and Chaudhry Arif. Sources familiar with the negotiations indicated that both sides have reached broad agreement on most agenda items, with a few outstanding issues remaining. Thousands had gathered at Rawalakot’s Eidgah Ground and Mutyalmera bus terminal in anticipation of the march, though no untoward incidents were reported in Poonch and Sudhnoti. JAAC also stated it wrote to the army chief after concerns failed to reach him through official channels. The AJK home secretary mentioned coordinated social media campaigns to incite people.

During Bilawal Bhutto's visit to Muzaffarabad, a protest march has been postponed as of July 15, 2026.

Bilawal Bhutto has proposed a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to resolve the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) crisis.

Bilawal Bhutto's visit to Azad Kashmir has garnered significant attention and sparked political discussion. This visit takes place amidst the context of Azad Kashmir elections, a long march, and an ongoing political crisis. Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Shami has also shared insights regarding these developments.

Bilawal Bhutto made a statement regarding the loss of lives in Azad Kashmir, calling for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing situation. He also contacted Maulana Fazlur Rehman to discuss Azad Kashmir politics.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari stated on Wednesday that the situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) since last month is "very concerning," warning that its persistence would harm the Kashmir cause and Pakistan's reputation. He made these remarks while addressing party office bearers and ticket holders in AJK, where he arrived for an unscheduled visit ahead of the July 27 elections.

AJK has experienced protests and clashes between law enforcers and protesters from the recently proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC). The central issue is JAAC’s demand for the abolition of 12 seats in the region’s Legislative Assembly, which are reserved for refugees from Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir who settled in mainland Pakistan after 1947.

Addressing workers, Bilawal emphasized that inappropriate language against Kashmiris would be heartbreaking, and remarks against the Pakistan Army would not be tolerated. He referred to Pakistan's armed forces as a "red line," noting their defeat of India during Marka-i-Haq last year. He also highlighted global changes and conspiracies, stating that Pakistan and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir play a significant role. He mentioned Pakistan's responses to Israel's conspiracies against Iran, India's attacks, and terrorists sent by India via Afghanistan to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, adding that Pakistan is ready to respond to India's Prime Minister weaponizing water.