The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has decided to form its own government in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) following President Asif Ali Zardari’s approval to move a no-confidence motion against the incumbent Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq.
The move signals a significant political shift in AJK’s power structure, as the party seeks to consolidate control through an in-house change. According to sources, the decision followed consecutive meetings chaired by President Zardari and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari.
Key Meetings Lead to Major Decision
President Zardari chaired an important meeting at the President’s House in Islamabad, attended by senior PPP leaders including Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Faryal Talpur, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, and Qamar Zaman Kaira.
During the session, Zardari reportedly gave his formal consent to initiate the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Anwarul Haq. The president will also finalize the party’s candidate for the AJK premiership after further consultation with senior members.
Meanwhile, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari chaired a separate session where party members unanimously endorsed the decision to bring an in-house change in AJK’s government.
Possible Candidates for AJK Premiership
The PPP leadership is considering Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin and Chaudhry Latif Akbar as potential candidates for the position of AJK prime minister. Final selection will be made by the party’s central leadership after reviewing parliamentary strength and consensus within the assembly.
Sources confirmed that the party has secured the required number of votes to ensure the success of the no-confidence motion should the current prime minister refuse to resign.
Chaudhry Yasin, a senior PPP leader from AJK, confirmed that the decision to form a new government had been finalized. “All parliamentary members were present during the meetings, and the discussions were detailed and comprehensive,” he said.
Yasin added that Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari would officially announce the new government and the name of the next prime minister on Monday.
Kaira Expresses Concern Over Political Situation
PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira described the situation in AJK as “worrying for all parties.” Speaking to reporters after the meetings, he said that although reports suggested the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had opted to sit in opposition, no official communication had yet been received.
Kaira stated that the final announcement would come after further consultations with President Zardari. He added that the PPP would proceed only after confirming that the required majority had been secured.
“Governments are formed when numbers are achieved, not through assumptions,” he remarked, emphasizing that PPP’s decision was based on internal unity and political stability.
Bilawal to Announce New Government
According to party insiders, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari will formally announce the formation of the new AJK government on Monday. The announcement is expected to outline the party’s future plans and priorities for governance in the region.
The decision marks a new chapter for the PPP in Azad Jammu and Kashmir as it seeks to strengthen its influence and restore political order amid growing challenges.
Strategic Shift in AJK Politics
The PPP’s move to remove Prime Minister Anwarul Haq underscores growing internal and regional political shifts. With President Zardari’s endorsement and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s leadership, the party aims to reassert control and stabilize governance in AJK.
If successful, the in-house change would place the PPP at the center of AJK’s political landscape, potentially reshaping alliances and influencing upcoming policy decisions in the region.
