JUI-F chief urges protest leaders to end sit-in and asks both sides to show flexibility for dialogue
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said on Tuesday that he had agreed to mediate between the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) and the government after receiving a formal request from JAAC leaders.
In a statement, Fazlur Rehman said the committee had written to him and asked him to play the role of mediator in the ongoing dispute. He added that he accepted the request in the wider interest of Pakistan and Kashmir, stressing that the wellbeing of the people of Kashmir remains a matter of concern for the entire country.
He said the JAAC leadership and workers are currently staging a sit-in and are also considering their future course of action. However, he urged the committee to call off the protest and avoid announcing any further strategy for the time being so that he could create space for meaningful dialogue with the government.
Fazl seeks time to open talks with government
Fazlur Rehman said mediation would require time because he would first need to approach the government and convince it to begin negotiations with the committee. He stressed that the process could only move forward if both sides avoided steps that might further escalate tensions.
He noted that ending the sit-in at this stage would help create a more positive atmosphere and allow him to engage with the authorities in a constructive way. According to him, a pause in protest activities would make it easier to lay the groundwork for talks.
Appeal for flexibility from both sides
The JUI-F chief also appealed to both the government and the JAAC to demonstrate flexibility and help create a conducive environment for dialogue. He said resolving the matter through talks would be in the best interest of the country and the people of Kashmir.
Fazlur Rehman’s intervention comes at a time when tensions remain high, with JAAC protesters continuing their sit-in while weighing future options. His acceptance of the mediation role may now open the door to negotiations if both sides respond positively and show willingness to compromise.
