Speaking on Geo News programme Jirga, Hafiz Naeem said the situation in Azad Kashmir was deeply concerning and reflected the collective failure of the political and state system rather than the responsibility of any single party. He said public frustration had grown because basic needs remained unmet and people felt deprived of genuine political representation.
He said governments in Azad Kashmir appeared to be formed according to Islamabad s preferences rather than the will of the people, weakening public confidence in the political system. He added that when opposition parties fail to perform their role, people take to the streets to raise their demands.
Referring to the recent unrest, Hafiz Naeem said the loss of lives on both sides served neither Pakistan s interests nor those of Kashmir or Azad Jammu and Kashmir. He urged all stakeholders to avoid blame games, review their policies and immediately seek a negotiated settlement.
He said Jamaat-e-Islami had met leaders of various political parties, opposition figures, former government officials, intellectuals and other stakeholders from Azad Kashmir in an effort to facilitate dialogue. Welcoming the ongoing negotiations, he expressed hope that the process would reach a logical conclusion.
On elections in Azad Kashmir, Hafiz Naeem said Jamaat-e-Islami would actively participate in the upcoming polls. He claimed that if his party had stronger representation in the legislative assembly, the current crisis could have been avoided. He added that Jamaat-e-Islami had consistently prioritised public service and stood by the people of Kashmir during difficult times, including the 2005 earthquake.
Regarding the reserved seats for Kashmiri refugees, he said their representation could not be abolished because they had made sacrifices for the Kashmir cause. However, he said the allocation of seats and the electoral mechanism should be discussed through dialogue to address the concerns of all stakeholders.
Responding to remarks by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Hafiz Naeem said political leaders should avoid making insensitive statements on the Kashmir issue, as such remarks hurt the sentiments of the Kashmiri people.
Commenting on Pakistan s broader political situation, he said political parties and state institutions needed to reassess their policies. He argued that public confidence in the political system had steadily declined, leading to increasing political instability. He also alleged that public trust had been damaged by various electoral processes, including the 2024 general elections.
On the security situation in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Hafiz Naeem said internal weaknesses must first be addressed to counter external interference. He stressed that lasting peace could not be achieved through military operations alone without ensuring dignity, employment, education and healthcare for the people of Balochistan. He urged the government to engage political leaders, tribal elders, intellectuals, former civil servants and other stakeholders in meaningful dialogue.
Discussing relations with Afghanistan, he said tensions between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban should also be resolved through negotiations. He suggested involving religious scholars as well as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, China and other relevant countries in the dialogue process. He also called on the Afghan Taliban to prevent Afghan territory from being used for terrorist activities against Pakistan, while urging the Pakistani government to continue diplomatic engagement.
Criticising the government s fuel pricing policy, Hafiz Naeem said consumers were being burdened despite a decline in international oil prices. He called for a review of the petroleum levy and other taxes, proposing that petrol prices be maintained at around Rs225 per litre to help curb inflation and support the economy.
