Calls for dialogue and political engagement in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) are growing after the Kashmir Diaspora Coalition issued a detailed appeal urging Pakistani authorities, the PoJK administration, political parties and the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) to resolve ongoing tensions through negotiations rather than confrontation.
In a statement titled “A Call for Dialogue, Restraint, and Democratic Engagement in Azad Jammu and Kashmir,” the organisation expressed concern over recent unrest in the region, citing reported deaths, injuries, arrests and rising public dissatisfaction. The statement stressed that political and constitutional grievances should be addressed through democratic consultation and institutional dialogue rather than coercive measures.
The coalition called for an immediate end to the use of force, transparency regarding casualties and detentions, and independent investigations into all reported deaths and injuries. It also urged authorities to engage with the demands raised by the Joint Awami Action Committee through a structured process of negotiations.
Among the recommendations were the creation of an all-party consultative mechanism, reforms relating to refugee-reserved assembly seats, a review of electoral representation, and measures to strengthen democratic institutions and public participation.
Significantly, the appeal comes from organisations and voices that have historically been associated with the broader Kashmiri political movement and have often differed sharply with India’s position on Kashmir. Their decision to publicly raise concerns about the handling of protests and political grievances in PoJK reflects the growing unease among sections of the pro-Pakistan political and activist spectrum regarding developments in the region.
The statement emphasised that public grievances must be heard and addressed, warning that continued confrontation could further deepen instability. It argued that accountability, representation, constitutional governance and meaningful engagement with citizens were essential for long-term peace and stability.
The coalition concluded by urging all stakeholders to demonstrate restraint and statesmanship, stating that dialogue, transparency and justice offered the only sustainable path forward for resolving the current crisis in PoJK.
