Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari met Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) President Maulana Fazlur Rehman at the latter's residence in Islamabad on Tuesday, where the two leaders discussed the political situation in Azad Kashmir, prospects for political cooperation and other national issues.
Fazl welcomed Bilawal upon his arrival before the two leaders held detailed talks. Following the meeting, they addressed a joint press conference.
Speaking to the media, Fazl said he welcomed Bilawal's visit, adding that the two leaders remained in contact whenever national issues arose. Referring to the Action Committee's sit-in in Azad Kashmir, he said the committee had offered to play the role of mediator and described Bilawal's visit as a positive development.
Bilawal said the PPP was seeking political assistance from Fazl and that the situation in Kashmir had been discussed in the Parliament. He said the party wanted a solution to the issues facing Azad Kashmir and noted that both PPP and JUI had extensive experience in running political movements.
Bilawal said the two parties enjoyed good political understanding in Karachi, adding that the founder of MQM still had a political address in the city. He said the PPP had suggested to the government that it should take advantage of Fazl's offer to mediate, while stressing that it was vital for elections in Kashmir to remain undisputed.
The PPP chairman announced that a political alliance between the PPP and JUI was likely to be formed in Azad Kashmir, adding that both parties were interested in expanding political cooperation across the country. He said all stakeholders should work to resolve the problems of the people of Azad Kashmir.
Fazl disclosed that the PPP had offered to form a joint government in Balochistan, adding that he would consult his party before making a decision on joining the provincial government.
Commenting on the refugee seats issue in Azad Kashmir, Fazl said the Action Committee should present arguments regarding the abolition of the 12 refugee seats and explain its position on the matter.
Bilawal reiterated that there was concern over the situation in Azad Kashmir and maintained that political issues should be resolved through political means. He said it was the responsibility of political leaders to find a political solution to the problems of Azad Kashmir, adding that no issue was beyond a political resolution.
He said efforts were being made to implement the points agreed upon previously, but acknowledged that two points remained unimplemented. Bilawal said the PPP alone could not implement those two points and stressed the importance of taking political parties in Azad Kashmir into confidence. He vowed that no harm would be allowed to come to the Kashmir cause and announced that the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would soon meet Fazl.