Mushaal Mullick urges dialogue to end AJK crisis

Islamabad (Web Desk): Chairperson of the Peace and Culture Organization and wife of jailed Kashmiri Hurriyat leader Yasin Malik, Mushaal Hussein Mullick, on Wednesday urged the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government and protesting groups to initiate meaningful negotiations without delay to end the ongoing political crisis.

In a statement, Mushaal Mullick called on both sides to engage in constructive dialogue aimed at restoring public confidence and reducing tensions that have disrupted normal life, business activities, tourism and transport across AJK for more than a month.

She stressed that all stakeholders should show flexibility and responsibility, warning that the prevailing atmosphere of mistrust had created uncertainty among the public and negatively affected the region's image at a crucial time.

Mushaal said the current tensions in AJK should be resolved through dialogue, mutual understanding and consensus, adding that confidence-building measures were essential to restore peace, stability and normalcy.

Describing AJK as the base camp of the Kashmir freedom movement, she said all stakeholders must fulfill their responsibilities and act in the broader interest of the Kashmiri cause.

She further said the situation in AJK was attracting international attention, noting that members of the Kashmiri diaspora across the world were closely monitoring developments and expressing deep concern over the ongoing unrest.

Mushaal observed that prolonged protests had severely affected transport services, tourism and commercial activities, causing significant difficulties for residents and adversely impacting the local economy.

"Our shoulders carry the responsibility of the blood of millions of martyrs of occupied Kashmir," she said, adding that the ultimate objective remained the liberation of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir from Indian rule.

She appealed to both the AJK government and the protesting groups to choose dialogue over confrontation and work collectively toward a peaceful, lasting and mutually acceptable resolution of the crisis.