Political Turmoil in Azad Kashmir: Muhajir Action Committee Formed Amid Row Over Reserved Seats

Muzaffarabad (Special Correspondent) — Politics in Azad Jammu and Kashmir has taken a sharp turn as Muhajirs (refugees/migrants) have formally announced the formation of the Muhajir Action Committee in response to the Awami Action Committee’s stance on reserved seats.
Led by senior politician and PPP leader Aslam Nadar Salhari, the new platform has quickly gained attention. Salhari has launched an intensive public contact campaign, holding meetings with Muhajir communities, political workers, and various stakeholders across different areas.
Speaking firmly, Salhari declared: “I am first a Muhajir, then a PPP worker.” He emphasized that there will be no compromise on the political rights, representation, and identity of Muhajirs. He appealed to Muhajirs affiliated with all political parties to set aside partisan differences and unite on the single-point agenda of safeguarding Muhajir rights, describing it as a battle for the future, identity, and political survival of millions.
Key Points Raised by Muhajir Leadership:
There is room for an increase in Muhajir seats in the Azad Kashmir Assembly; the question of reduction does not arise.
An attack on Muhajir representation is effectively an attack on the Kashmir cause.
Without proper Muhajir representation, the constitutional, moral, and political legitimacy of the Azad Kashmir Assembly will be questioned internationally.
Muhajirs across Pakistan have united on one platform and are ready to resist any attempt to undermine their rights through democratic, political, and legal means.
Salhari warned that if efforts to deprive Muhajirs of their rights continue, a strong protest movement will be launched across the country. He accused certain elements in the Awami Action Committee of promoting a politics of hatred aimed at creating a rift between Muhajirs and local Kashmiris.
Political analysts describe the situation as highly sensitive. The formation of the Muhajir Action Committee has introduced a new dimension to Azad Kashmir’s political landscape, with expectations that the dispute may intensify in the coming days.