Khawaja Asif Rawalakot’s remarks drew criticism from Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman in the National Assembly.
The debate focused on protests in Azad Jammu and Kashmir over 12 reserved refugee seats in the region’s Legislative Assembly.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman said Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had made remarks that did not suit his office. He urged the government to show patience. He also said officials should not use force against protesters over speeches.
🚨 Birth certificate does not make someone a Kashmiri or a 🇵🇰 Pakistani. I wrote what I wrote with proof, I have no regrets about it,.
– Khawaja Asif's reply to Pervez Ashraf pic.twitter.com/OQAD2dNtVE
— Asad Nasir (@asadnasir2000) June 24, 2026Fazlur Rehman said he had received a formal letter from the Awami Action Committee. He added that he had sent it to the government.
The committee also shared its charter of demands, he said. Bilawal said some federal ministers were making things harder for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
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He asked why ministers were saying Rawalakot residents were not Kashmiris. He also said the minister had not apologised.
Bilawal Bhutto criticizes Khawaja Asif over his remarks about Kashmiris, questioning how the defence minister could make such a statement about the people of Rawalakot and still remain in office without issuing an apology. pic.twitter.com/IcTrpos3rL
— Ihtisham Ul Haq (@iihtishamm) June 24, 2026Bilawal urged the prime minister to control his team. He also said Fazlur Rehman should get space to mediate.
PML-N Senator Rana Sanaullah responded on behalf of the government. He said the demand to remove 12 refugee seats was a constitutional and legal matter.
Read: AJK Election Act Amended to Bar Banned Parties
He added that a six-member committee had been formed to give recommendations to the AJK government.
