ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has stepped up its efforts to bring about a change in the leadership of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Assembly, party insiders revealed.
Sources indicate that the PPP top brass is planning to contact the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to discuss the current political developments in AJK. The party also aims to secure assurances from the federal government concerning development funding for the region. It is understood that the PPP is seeking to be part of the AJK cabinet, arguing that PML-N’s involvement would facilitate the release of federal funds. However, party officials are reportedly wary that they have yet to receive a definitive commitment from the central government about financial support for the remaining tenure of the current AJK administration.
Insiders warned that without federal financial backing, the AJK government would face difficulties in fulfilling its development commitments and implementing projects. This development follows PML-N’s recent announcement to withdraw from the current coalition government in AJK. Shah Ghulam Qadir, President of PML-N AJK, stated that if the PPP moves a no-confidence motion, it is within their democratic rights.
Qadir clarified that PML-N would not participate in any new government formation and warned that anyone deviating from party discipline would face disciplinary action. He emphasized that a stable government in AJK can only be established through a general election.
Earlier this month, a significant agreement was signed in Muzaffarabad between the federal government’s high-level negotiation committee and the Joint Azad Jammu and Kashmir Action Committee (JAAC) to address ongoing disputes and restore harmony in the region.
The federal delegation included Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Ministers Sardar Muhammad Yusuf and Ahsan Iqbal, Senator Rana Sanaullah, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, and Amir Muqam. On the AJK side, Minister for Education Diwan Ali Chughtai and Minister for Local Government Faisal Rathore participated, while the JAAC was represented by Raja Amjad, Shaukat Nawaz Mir, and Anjum Zaman Awan.
