‘Country Belongs To All’: Nawaz Sharif Calls For Dialogue To Defuse Spiralling PoK Protests | Exclusive Details

Published 17 June 2026 · politics

‘Country Belongs To All’: Nawaz Sharif Calls For Dialogue To Defuse Spiralling PoK Protests | Exclusive Details Reported By, Last Updated: June 17, 2026, 23:14

‘Country Belongs To All’: Nawaz Sharif Calls For Dialogue To Defuse Spiralling PoK Protests | Exclusive Details Reported By, Last Updated: June 17, 2026, 23:14 IST The veteran leader urged local residents to maintain their deep ideological and emotional bonds with Pakistan Nawaz Sharif emphasised that while public grievances regarding development and resource allocation are legitimate, resorting to violent confrontation undermines regional security. File pic/AP Expressing deep concern over the volatile political and administrative situation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif has issued an urgent appeal for peace. Chairing a high-level party meeting in Lahore on Wednesday, June 17, the three-time Prime Minister called on both local demonstrators and security institutions to immediately halt ongoing protests and sit-ins in favour of meaningful constitutional dialogue. The strategic intervention follows a deadly wave of civil unrest and violent clashes that erupted across the region ten days earlier, claiming the lives of both law enforcement personnel and civilians.

The recent tensions, primarily mobilised around high inflation, soaring utility tariffs, and a contentious dispute regarding the reservation of 12 refugee seats in the regional legislative assembly, have threatened to destabilise the territory ahead of crucial assembly elections scheduled for the end of next month. “This country belongs to all of us, and we must resolve our grievances as brothers. Any struggle for public and administrative rights must remain strictly confined within the designated constitutional framework," said Sharif. Escalating Tensions Jeopardise Regional Stability During the session, which was attended by senior PML-N leaders and representatives from the party’s PoK chapter, Sharif expressed profound grief over the tragic loss of lives. A top PML-N source revealed that the party leadership widely views the ongoing internal violence and administrative disruptions as deeply damaging to the broader, long-term Kashmir cause on international platforms. The PML-N president emphasised that while public grievances regarding development and resource allocation are legitimate, resorting to violent confrontation undermines regional security.

He urged the PoK government, federal authorities, and all major political stakeholders to collectively intervene to restore public order, ensure local resources are efficiently utilised for public welfare, and keep the regional electoral process safely on track. Reaffirming Self-Determination and Concord Despite addressing internal fractures, the PML-N firmly reiterated its foundational stance on the geopolitical dispute. The party issued a formal declaration reaffirming its unyielding commitment to the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination, strictly in accordance with the long-standing resolutions of the United Nations Security Council. Sharif concluded the high-level meeting by calling for a renewed spirit of brotherhood, harmony, and tolerance across the country, particularly following the successful operations and strategic achievements of Pakistan’s defence institutions. Vowing to collaborate with all democratic forces to permanently restore peace in PoK, the veteran leader urged local residents to maintain their deep ideological and emotional bonds with Pakistan while resolutely rejecting any activity that could aggravate internal lawlessness.