KARACHI: Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), stated on Friday that his party is prepared to assume control of the government in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, where the current prime minister faces a no-confidence motion.
Speaking at a press conference with PPP leaders in Islamabad, Bilawal refrained from revealing his party’s candidate for the prime minister’s position.He assured reporters, “No need to worry, the announcement will come from Kashmir, not Islamabad,” when asked about the prospective nominee. Bilawal indicated that the new Leader of the House would be announced once the no-confidence motion is officially moved against the sitting prime minister.
Highlighting PPP’s longstanding commitment to Kashmir, Bilawal emphasized his personal efforts during his tenure as foreign minister to bring international attention to the Kashmir issue. “For three generations, PPP has championed Kashmir’s cause worldwide,” he remarked, recalling Pakistan’s delegation efforts to counter Indian narratives following recent conflicts.
Bilawal also claimed that the PPP secured victory in AJK elections during PTI’s federal government, despite facing numerous challenges. However, he acknowledged that their victory was later “transformed into a defeat,” yet maintained that the party continues to represent the people’s interests across the region.
He affirmed that his party was capable of forming the government but noted that the remaining term of the AJK Assembly would serve as a crucial test for the PPP. The party’s chances were bolstered after several PTI members joined their ranks, increasing PPP’s seats from 17 to 27 following a meeting with Faryal Talpur on October 27.
On the same day, PML-N, which holds nine seats in the AJK Assembly, announced its support for the PPP’s no-confidence motion against the current prime minister. Leaders from both parties, including PML-N’s Rana Sanaullah and PPP’s Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and Qamar Zaman Kaira, held a joint press conference confirming their alliance in pushing the motion.
