Bilawal criticizes Khawaja Asif over Kashmir remarks, urges PM to control ministers

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari strongly criticized Defence Minister Khawaja Asif during a National Assembly session, highlighting differences within the ruling coalition over the situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Khawaja Asif had earlier defended his comments about the political situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, saying his remarks were “frank and honest.” He also accused people with “external agendas” of trying to misrepresent his statements.

In a post on X, Asif said that people with “sinister agendas” could neither separate Kashmir from Pakistan nor Pakistan from Kashmir.

Speaking during the federal budget debate in the National Assembly, Bilawal said the defence minister’s remarks had increased tensions in Kashmir.

“The federal minister’s statement attempted to fan the flames of the fire already burning in Kashmir,” Bilawal said.

He said comments questioning the identity of people in Rawalakot had harmed Pakistan’s position on the Kashmir issue.

“Why are individuals who refuse to recognise the people of Rawalakot as Kashmiris still sitting in the federal cabinet? The defence minister is not even willing to apologise,” he told the House.

Bilawal urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to maintain discipline among cabinet members.

“The prime minister genuinely wants to steer the country out of its difficulties in a positive manner. However, there are a few ministers who are consistently creating problems for him,” he said.

Despite his criticism, Bilawal repeated his party’s support for the coalition government. He said he had voted for Shehbaz Sharif twice and trusted his intentions.

He also called on all political parties to work together to solve the country’s economic problems and said the federal budget should be passed before the Ashura holidays.

On local government matters, Bilawal demanded local body elections across the country. He said local government elections in Islamabad and Gilgit-Baltistan should be held within 90 days.

He rejected claims that local governments were not practical, saying that local bodies are functioning successfully in PPP-governed provinces.