The chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir has requested a formal meeting with Mahmood Khan Achakzai, the head of the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP). The move comes as authorities scramble to navigate the volatile political climate in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
The request aims to bridge the gap between the government’s stance on the AJK situation and the opposition’s growing criticism. Recent weeks saw widespread protests across the region over rising electricity costs and wheat flour prices, leading to violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces.
Achakzai, a seasoned politician and current head of the opposition alliance, has been vocal about the government’s handling of the unrest. His influence within the opposition ranks makes him a key player in any attempt to de-escalate the situation.
The Kashmir Committee chairman intends to present a briefing on the administration’s recent measures to stabilize the region. Whether Achakzai agrees to the meeting remains the primary hurdle; he has previously characterized the government’s outreach as “tokenism” rather than genuine policy reform.
Political analysts suggest the timing is deliberate. With the AJK government facing mounting pressure from the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), the federal government is looking for ways to neutralize opposition support for the protests. Bringing a figure like Achakzai to the table could provide the political cover necessary to implement austerity measures or price adjustments in the region.
The unrest in AJK has already claimed lives and caused significant property damage, forcing the federal government to release a multi-billion rupee relief package. Despite the financial injection, public trust in the local administration remains thin.
If the meeting proceeds, it will mark a rare instance of direct engagement between the parliamentary committee and a senior opposition leader on the specific issue of AJK’s governance. For now, the committee awaits a formal response from Achakzai’s office.
