Islamabad (Staff Reporter) – During a meeting with former Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir and President of All Jammu Kashmir Muslim Conference Sardar Atiq Ahmed Khan, Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan, President of the Pakistan Stability Party in Azad Kashmir and former Prime Minister, expressed that in the current tense situation in Azad Kashmir, their concern is not limited to election or government formation issues. Their primary priority is to restore normalcy in the lives of the state’s citizens, allowing them to live safely and with dignity in their homes, and to reintegrate the people of Poonch into the democratic process as soon as possible so that their elected representatives can represent them in the assembly. The solution to the ongoing protests and sit-ins in Poonch should not be through force or confrontation, but rather through political dialogue, mutual consultation, and negotiations involving all relevant political and social stakeholders and national security officials. He expressed these views during a detailed meeting at his office in Islamabad with former Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir and President of All Jammu Kashmir Muslim Conference Sardar Atiq Ahmed Khan. The meeting included extensive discussions on the law and order situation in Azad Kashmir, particularly in Poonch, the ongoing protests, the difficulties faced by the public, and the political future of the state. Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan stated that the current conditions in Azad Kashmir cannot be overlooked, as the life that an ordinary citizen expects is not available to them. Due to the tense situation, a large number of people from Poonch are migrating to Islamabad and other areas, while some families have been forced to live in hotels and guest houses for the past three, four, and five months. This situation demands that political leadership prioritize restoring normalcy in people’s lives over elections and other political matters. He mentioned that he has also discussed the current situation with former Prime Minister Sardar Atiq Ahmed Khan, former Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan, former President and Prime Minister Sardar Yaqoob Khan, and the head of the Jammu Kashmir Peoples Party Sardar Hassan Ibrahim Khan, and there is a consensus that political leadership should step forward to play its role in overcoming the current crisis. Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan noted that Sardar Atiq Ahmed Khan has also expressed his commitment to playing a role in the current situation of the state during the Neelabhat Day and on the anniversary of Syed Khadim Hussain Shaheed in Bagh, ensuring that the relationship between Kashmir and Pakistan remains strong. He stated that during today’s meeting, it was also agreed to advance the consultative process by involving other leaders and stakeholders. In the coming days, further consultations will be held with additional political and social stakeholders to create a viable solution for a peaceful, dignified, and negotiated resolution to the protests. He emphasized that various elements and classes have joined the protests, thus it is essential to listen to the protesters and engage in direct dialogue with them. He expressed his commitment to actively participate in this process to the best of his ability, hoping that collective efforts will yield fruitful results. He added that after the establishment of the current government of the Pakistan Muslim League-N in Azad Kashmir, he expects them to move forward in light of past agreements and promises made to the public. Referring to the agreements made by the committee established under the leadership of Rana Sanaullah, which included former Prime Minister of Pakistan Raja Pervez Ashraf, he expressed hope that the central leadership of the Pakistan Muslim League-N will cooperate in this matter and play its role in fulfilling the legitimate expectations of the people. Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan clarified that keeping the people of Poonch out of the democratic process in Azad Kashmir is not in the interest of the state. He stated that since the election of the Prime Minister in Azad Kashmir has already taken place, the people of Poonch should be included in the government formation process as soon as possible to complete the political process and restore normalcy in the state. Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan remarked that not only the people of the state but also the 250 million citizens of Pakistan are closely watching the situation in Azad Kashmir. He mentioned that he has traveled to various parts of the country, including Punjab, Balochistan, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit-Baltistan, and everywhere he found that Azad Kashmir is not just a political issue for the people of Pakistan but also a matter of emotional attachment. Therefore, the solution to the current situation is in the interest of not only Azad Kashmir but all of Pakistan. During the meeting, Sardar Atiq Ahmed Khan also expressed deep concern over the situation in Azad Kashmir, particularly in Poonch, and supported a peaceful and negotiated resolution to the protests. Both leaders agreed to broaden the scope of consultation for resolving the current situation and to involve other political and social stakeholders in joint efforts to pull the state out of the current crisis.