Bilawal Confident of Majority, PM Nominee to be Announced from Muzaffarabad
ISLAMABAD—The political landscape in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) is on the verge of a significant shift, with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) announcing it is in a position to assume control of the regional government. This development comes as a no-confidence motion is set to be tabled against the incumbent AJK Prime Minister.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari made the announcement during a press conference in Islamabad on Friday. When questioned about the party’s candidate for the prime minister’s slot, Mr. Bhutto-Zardari remained deliberately evasive, stating, “Don’t worry, that announcement will be made from Kashmir, not Islamabad,” hinting at a political focus within the region itself. He confirmed that the new Leader of the House would be revealed once the no-confidence resolution is formally moved.
Growing Majority and Strategic Alliance
The PPP’s confidence stems from a recent surge in its numbers within the AJK Legislative Assembly. The party’s representation grew to 27 seats from an initial 17 after at least ten lawmakers from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) forward bloc defected and joined the PPP. These new additions have given the party the required simple majority to form a government.
Furthermore, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), which holds nine seats in the Assembly, has pledged its support to the PPP’s no-confidence motion. This cross-party cooperation was confirmed by senior leaders from both sides, including PML-N’s Rana Sanaullah and PPP’s Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and Qamar Zaman Kaira, underscoring a joint effort to replace the current setup.
Commitment to Kashmir’s Cause
The former Foreign Minister used the opportunity to reaffirm the PPP’s historical commitment to the Kashmir cause, stating that three generations of the party’s leadership have advocated for the issue internationally. He noted his own efforts to highlight the Kashmir dispute globally during his tenure as Foreign Minister.
While affirming that the party is ready to take charge, Mr. Bhutto-Zardari acknowledged the limited time remaining in the current assembly’s tenure, calling it a “test for the PPP.” He also referenced the 2021 AJK elections, where he claimed the PPP secured a victory despite challenges faced during the then-PTI federal government, a win which he controversially alleged was “turned into a defeat.” Despite that outcome, he maintained that the PPP continues to represent the people of AJK.
