m.shah
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Oh bhai there is still internet cut off in Ladakh after 4 innocents were killed by police. What are you on about? Kashmiris are getting killed both sides.
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Contact the PP Team
[VIDEOS] AJK demonstrates against the Junta appointed Government
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Great news and credit to both sides for reaching an agreement.
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PM hails return to peace after govt, JAAC strike landmark deal to end days of AJK unrest
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday welcomed the successful outcome of the negotiations between the government and the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), calling the restoration of peace and return to normalcy a positive development.After carefully vetting the draft agreement, the government’s negotiation committee and JAAC reached a deal that ended days of tension, which had sparked violent riots in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
The premier praised the efforts of the government’s negotiation committee, commending its members for their dedication and hard work in resolving the crisis through dialogue.
"The government stands fully prepared to address the issues faced by our Kashmiri brothers," the prime minister said.
"Public interest and peace are our top priorities, and we will continue to serve the people of Azad Kashmir with full commitment.
"We have always been and will continue to be staunch defenders of the rights of our Kashmiri brothers and sisters. The concerns of Azad Kashmir have always remained a key focus for our government," he added.
Talks between JAAC, the AJK government, and federal ministers over special privileges and refugee seats had collapsed last week.
What began as a largely peaceful movement in AJK spiraled into unrest, with rival groups staging protests and accusing each other of inciting violence.
Deadly clashes between demonstrators and security forces left at least 10 people dead and dozens seriously injured.
A new round of negotiations took place on Thursday between a senior government team and a civil society alliance, followed by another meeting on Friday.
Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, a member of the prime minister’s team, confirmed the delegation had signed the final agreement with JAAC.
While in Muzaffarabad with the federal team, Chaudhry posted on X that the two parties had resolved their differences, calling the deal “a victory for peace.” He added that protesters were now returning home and all roads had been reopened.
Federal Minister of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal also welcomed the development, describing it as a win for Pakistan, Azad Kashmir and democracy.
He took to X and said, “The people of Azad Jammu & Kashmir have always stood at the frontlines of Pakistan’s national cause, and their voice carries immense weight.”
“Over the past weeks, we saw a difficult situation emerge due to legitimate public concerns,” he added.
“It was the wisdom of local and national leadership and the spirit of dialogue that enabled us to resolve this stand-off peacefully, without violence, without division, and with mutual respect.”
Iqbal emphasised that the resolution was not a victory of one side over the other. “It is a victory of the people of AJK, Pakistan & Democracy. It shows that when the government listens, and when the people engage constructively, we can find solutions together.”
He praised the role of the Joint Action Committee, saying, “The Joint Action Committee raised the voice of citizens, and the government under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took these voices seriously.
Instead of confrontation, we chose consultation. Instead of egos, we chose empathy.”
The minister concluded, “We commit to work together for good governance and development in AJK.”
Adviser to the Prime Minister, Rana Sanaullah, speaking to the media, thanked the JAAC for participating in the discussions and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives on both sides during the recent unrest.
Sanaullah added that all the legitimate demands of the JAAC had been accepted, marking a step toward resolving the crisis peacefully.
Key points of the agreement between the federal ministers’ committee and the JAAC:
- Cases under anti-terrorism laws will be filed for deaths in violent incidents.
- Compensation will be given to the families of those who died on 1st and 2nd October.
- Families of protesters will receive the same compensation as the families of officials.
- Injured individuals will receive Rs 1 million each.
- One member of the family of a deceased protester will be given a 20-day government job.
- Two additional Secondary Education Boards will be established in Muzaffarabad and Poonch within 30 days.
- All three AJK Secondary Boards will be linked with the Federal Board.
- The existing Local Government Act will be restored within 90 days in accordance with judicial rulings.
- AJK government will release funds for the health card within 15 days.
- MRI and CT scan machines will be provided in all districts of AJK with federal funding.
- Pakistan government will provide Rs10 billion to improve the electricity system in AJK.
- The size of the AJK cabinet will be reduced to 20 ministers and advisers.
- The number of administrative secretaries will not exceed 20.
- Civil defence departments will be merged into the SDMA.
- The Accountability Bureau and Anti-Corruption Establishment will be merged.
- AJK’s Accountability Act will be aligned with Pakistan’s NAB laws.
- Feasibility reports for two tunnels in AJK will be prepared by the Pakistan government.
- The project will be prioritised under the Saudi Development Fund as per PC-1 guidelines.
- A high-powered committee of legal and constitutional experts will be formed.
- The committee will consult on members selected from outside AJK.
- Until the committee submits its final report, the privileges of these members will remain suspended.
- Funding, ministry status, and other perks for these members will remain on hold until the final report is submitted.
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AJK government shake-up on cards as PPP eyes premier slot
As the PPP plans to install its own prime minister in Azad Jammu Kashmir, the party lawmakers from the region separately met party chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and President Asif Ali Zardari to mull options for the removal of the incumbent PM Chaudhry Anwarul Haq.
Only a picture of Mr Zardari’s meeting with the lawmakers was issued by Saturday night, while a handout issued by the PPP regarding the meeting with Mr Bhutto-Zardari also did not mention the possibility of a no-confidence motion against the AJK premier. The party leaders discussed the AJK’s “political situation” in the meeting, said the official statement.
Sources, however, claimed the party meeting considered names for Mr Haq’s successor. They said the PPP had “almost finalised” the decision to oust the AJK prime minister through a no-trust motion. A formal decision, according to sources, is likely in a day or two.
The insiders said the party leaders deliberated upon all possible options, including giving some time to the AJK prime minister for “an honourable exit”, before making any move to remove the premier through a no-trust vote.
According to the sources, the meeting also explored potential successors, with Chaudhry Yaseen, Chaudhry Latif Akbar and Sardar Yaqoob emerging as strong contenders for the coveted post. In the AJK assembly, the PPP, with the support of the PML-N, has the support of more than 27 lawmakers — a magic number required to form the government. The PPP has 17 members in the house, 10 of whom are ministers and two are advisers, while AJK Legislative Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar also hails from the PPP.
It may be noted that the PPP had already decided it would not remain a part of the government, but it remained undecided about whether to sit on the opposition benches or form its own government in the region.
Meanwhile, the official statement by the party said that Mr Bhutto-Zardari presided over the PPP AJK Parliamentary group meeting and “discussed the political situation” in AJK.
The statement added that the PPP leaders of the AJK chapter discussed improving the organisational structure of the party in the region and the current political situation in AJK.
The meeting was also attended by former prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf and former Kashmir affairs minister Qamar Zaman Kaira, who had recently led a federal government delegation to talk to the protesters in AJK and remained successful in ending the protest after an agreement was signed in the first week of October. At least 10 had been killed while scores were injured in clashes between the law enforcers and the protesters that lasted for days. PPP Women Wing’s Central President Faryal Talpur was also present in the meeting.
Others who attended the meeting included Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin, Faisal Mumtaz, Chaudhry Latif Akbar, Sardar Javed Ayub, Sardar Muhammad Yaqub Khan, Mian Abdul Waheed, Javed Iqbal Bandhanvi, Syed Bazil Naqvi, Syed Zia Qamar, Chaudhry Qasim Majeed, Chaudhry Aamir Yasin, Aamir Ghaffar Lone, Javed Butt, Rafiq Nayyar, Nabila Ayub, Chaudhry Muhammad Riaz, and Sardar Tanveer Ilyas.
DAWN NEWS
As the PPP plans to install its own prime minister in Azad Jammu Kashmir, the party lawmakers from the region separately met party chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and President Asif Ali Zardari to mull options for the removal of the incumbent PM Chaudhry Anwarul Haq.
Only a picture of Mr Zardari’s meeting with the lawmakers was issued by Saturday night, while a handout issued by the PPP regarding the meeting with Mr Bhutto-Zardari also did not mention the possibility of a no-confidence motion against the AJK premier. The party leaders discussed the AJK’s “political situation” in the meeting, said the official statement.
Sources, however, claimed the party meeting considered names for Mr Haq’s successor. They said the PPP had “almost finalised” the decision to oust the AJK prime minister through a no-trust motion. A formal decision, according to sources, is likely in a day or two.
The insiders said the party leaders deliberated upon all possible options, including giving some time to the AJK prime minister for “an honourable exit”, before making any move to remove the premier through a no-trust vote.
According to the sources, the meeting also explored potential successors, with Chaudhry Yaseen, Chaudhry Latif Akbar and Sardar Yaqoob emerging as strong contenders for the coveted post. In the AJK assembly, the PPP, with the support of the PML-N, has the support of more than 27 lawmakers — a magic number required to form the government. The PPP has 17 members in the house, 10 of whom are ministers and two are advisers, while AJK Legislative Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar also hails from the PPP.
It may be noted that the PPP had already decided it would not remain a part of the government, but it remained undecided about whether to sit on the opposition benches or form its own government in the region.
Meanwhile, the official statement by the party said that Mr Bhutto-Zardari presided over the PPP AJK Parliamentary group meeting and “discussed the political situation” in AJK.
The statement added that the PPP leaders of the AJK chapter discussed improving the organisational structure of the party in the region and the current political situation in AJK.
The meeting was also attended by former prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf and former Kashmir affairs minister Qamar Zaman Kaira, who had recently led a federal government delegation to talk to the protesters in AJK and remained successful in ending the protest after an agreement was signed in the first week of October. At least 10 had been killed while scores were injured in clashes between the law enforcers and the protesters that lasted for days. PPP Women Wing’s Central President Faryal Talpur was also present in the meeting.
Others who attended the meeting included Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin, Faisal Mumtaz, Chaudhry Latif Akbar, Sardar Javed Ayub, Sardar Muhammad Yaqub Khan, Mian Abdul Waheed, Javed Iqbal Bandhanvi, Syed Bazil Naqvi, Syed Zia Qamar, Chaudhry Qasim Majeed, Chaudhry Aamir Yasin, Aamir Ghaffar Lone, Javed Butt, Rafiq Nayyar, Nabila Ayub, Chaudhry Muhammad Riaz, and Sardar Tanveer Ilyas.
DAWN NEWS
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The combined support for the PPP and Nooras is zilch in AJK.
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They will be able to make governament here.. I know
Bewal Express
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That's more to do with the gun than any practical support on the ground
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PPP secures majority to form govt in AJK without PML-N support
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has secured the required numbers to form the government in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) without the support of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
According to party sources, five AJK ministers have decided to join the PPP, giving the party a clear majority for government formation in the region. Those joining include Chaudhry Yasir Sultan, Sardar Muhammad Hussain, Chaudhry Muhammad Ikhlaq, Chaudhry Arshad Hussain, and Chaudhry Muhammad Rashid.
The ministers met Faryal Talpur at Zardari House, Islamabad, to formally announce their decision. Senior PPP leaders Faheem Akhtar Rabbani, Muhammad Asim Sharif, Chaudhry Muhammad Akbar, Abdul Majeed Khan, and Chaudhry Muhammad Riaz were also present during the meeting.
Faryal Talpur said the inclusion of AJK ministers would further strengthen the PPP’s position in the region. The newly joined members expressed full confidence in the leadership of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and President Asif Ali Zardari, pledging to play an active role in the development of Azad Kashmir and the welfare of its people under the PPP banner.
Earlier, President Asif Ali Zardari pledged to promote the politics of reconciliation and tolerance as the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) steps up efforts to bring about an in-house change in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Assembly.
According to sources, a high-level meeting of PPP AJK leaders was held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad. The meeting was attended by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Faryal Talpur, and other senior party figures.
During the session, the participants discussed matters related to AJK’s governance, the region’s political situation, and the PPP’s strategy for forming a new government.
Sources said President Zardari informed the AJK parliamentary party of the decision to take charge of the AJK government — calling it an “extraordinary and challenging step” for the party.
“The PPP is assuming responsibility in difficult circumstances,” Zardari was quoted as saying. “But I am confident the party will deliver in AJK just as it has in the past.”
He emphasised that the next Prime Minister of AJK would be an ordinary PPP worker and a true Jiyala, The president urged party members to avoid premature or unnecessary statements ahead of the transition and to focus on fostering reconciliation and political tolerance in the region.
After his brief formal address, sources said, President Zardari held an extended informal discussion with the delegation, during which AJK’s pressing issues and possible solutions were reviewed. He also sought suggestions on tackling challenges facing the region’s administration.
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has secured the required numbers to form the government in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) without the support of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
According to party sources, five AJK ministers have decided to join the PPP, giving the party a clear majority for government formation in the region. Those joining include Chaudhry Yasir Sultan, Sardar Muhammad Hussain, Chaudhry Muhammad Ikhlaq, Chaudhry Arshad Hussain, and Chaudhry Muhammad Rashid.
The ministers met Faryal Talpur at Zardari House, Islamabad, to formally announce their decision. Senior PPP leaders Faheem Akhtar Rabbani, Muhammad Asim Sharif, Chaudhry Muhammad Akbar, Abdul Majeed Khan, and Chaudhry Muhammad Riaz were also present during the meeting.
Faryal Talpur said the inclusion of AJK ministers would further strengthen the PPP’s position in the region. The newly joined members expressed full confidence in the leadership of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and President Asif Ali Zardari, pledging to play an active role in the development of Azad Kashmir and the welfare of its people under the PPP banner.
Earlier, President Asif Ali Zardari pledged to promote the politics of reconciliation and tolerance as the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) steps up efforts to bring about an in-house change in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Assembly.
According to sources, a high-level meeting of PPP AJK leaders was held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad. The meeting was attended by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Faryal Talpur, and other senior party figures.
During the session, the participants discussed matters related to AJK’s governance, the region’s political situation, and the PPP’s strategy for forming a new government.
Sources said President Zardari informed the AJK parliamentary party of the decision to take charge of the AJK government — calling it an “extraordinary and challenging step” for the party.
“The PPP is assuming responsibility in difficult circumstances,” Zardari was quoted as saying. “But I am confident the party will deliver in AJK just as it has in the past.”
He emphasised that the next Prime Minister of AJK would be an ordinary PPP worker and a true Jiyala, The president urged party members to avoid premature or unnecessary statements ahead of the transition and to focus on fostering reconciliation and political tolerance in the region.
After his brief formal address, sources said, President Zardari held an extended informal discussion with the delegation, during which AJK’s pressing issues and possible solutions were reviewed. He also sought suggestions on tackling challenges facing the region’s administration.
PPP secures majority to form govt in AJK without PML-N support
PPP solidifies control in AJK as five ministers join the party, boosting its majority without PML-N support in Pakistan.
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IronShield
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All that is wrong with democracy in South Asia.
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AJK PM’s ‘days numbered’ as allies close ranks
Azad Jammu Kashmir Prime Minister Anwarul Haq’s days seem to be numbered, as the coalition partners in the federal government — the PPP and the PML-N — ratchet up pressure on the embattled premier to step down from the post, or face a no-confidence motion in the assembly.
The coalition partners met at the Presidency on Monday to discuss possible options for the formation of the AJK government to be led by the PPP. The PML-N panel, led by Ahsan Iqbal and comprising Rana Sanaullah and Amir Muqam, called on President Zardari to discuss the AJK affairs with the PPP in light of the current situation.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal said his party would support the no-trust motion against the AJK PM but would not become part of the government. He said the PPP will form the government after the success of the no-confidence motion, while they would sit on the opposition benches.
PM’s aide Rana Sanaullah said the PML-N’s parliamentary party has expressed distrust over the incumbent AJK government. He said the current AJK government failed to perform its duties, adding that free and fair elections would be held in the region after completion of the AJK assembly’s term next year.
“The incumbent government has become a problem itself instead of a problem-solver,” PPP’s Qamar Zaman Kaira said. Mr Kaira slammed PM Haq’s administration and said political stability in AJK was the need of the hour.
He also welcomed the PML-N’s decision, which further strengthened the PPP’s position to oust the sitting premier. Mr Kaira said that both sides respected each other’s decisions as they aimed to bring political stability to the region.
Numbers game
The PPP has 27 members in the AJK Legislative Assembly after 10 lawmakers joined the party on Sunday, and with the PML-N’s backing, it has garnered the support of at least 36 lawmakers to oust the incumbent premier. The PPP also claims Sardar Atiq of the Muslim Conference and Sardar Hasan Ibrahim of the Jammu Kashmir Peoples Party will also support it.
The AJK Legislative Assembly has 52 members and to achieve a simple majority, a party requires the support of 27 members. In light of this situation, sources said the incumbent PM was advised to opt for an “honourable exit” as he had lost the support of the majority.
With the PPP having 27 members in the house, he has three options: dissolve the assembly to prevent the party from coming to power, step down, or face a no-trust vote.
The final decision, however, will be taken today (Tuesday), but the premier is likely to step down, the source added. He also dispelled the impression that the PM was waiting for the announcement of a nominee for the coveted slot in the hope that such a decision would polarise the alliance against him.
The source further said that PM Haq and his six associates would sit on the opposition benches after he quits.
Azad Jammu Kashmir Prime Minister Anwarul Haq’s days seem to be numbered, as the coalition partners in the federal government — the PPP and the PML-N — ratchet up pressure on the embattled premier to step down from the post, or face a no-confidence motion in the assembly.
The coalition partners met at the Presidency on Monday to discuss possible options for the formation of the AJK government to be led by the PPP. The PML-N panel, led by Ahsan Iqbal and comprising Rana Sanaullah and Amir Muqam, called on President Zardari to discuss the AJK affairs with the PPP in light of the current situation.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal said his party would support the no-trust motion against the AJK PM but would not become part of the government. He said the PPP will form the government after the success of the no-confidence motion, while they would sit on the opposition benches.
PM’s aide Rana Sanaullah said the PML-N’s parliamentary party has expressed distrust over the incumbent AJK government. He said the current AJK government failed to perform its duties, adding that free and fair elections would be held in the region after completion of the AJK assembly’s term next year.
“The incumbent government has become a problem itself instead of a problem-solver,” PPP’s Qamar Zaman Kaira said. Mr Kaira slammed PM Haq’s administration and said political stability in AJK was the need of the hour.
He also welcomed the PML-N’s decision, which further strengthened the PPP’s position to oust the sitting premier. Mr Kaira said that both sides respected each other’s decisions as they aimed to bring political stability to the region.
Numbers game
The PPP has 27 members in the AJK Legislative Assembly after 10 lawmakers joined the party on Sunday, and with the PML-N’s backing, it has garnered the support of at least 36 lawmakers to oust the incumbent premier. The PPP also claims Sardar Atiq of the Muslim Conference and Sardar Hasan Ibrahim of the Jammu Kashmir Peoples Party will also support it.
The AJK Legislative Assembly has 52 members and to achieve a simple majority, a party requires the support of 27 members. In light of this situation, sources said the incumbent PM was advised to opt for an “honourable exit” as he had lost the support of the majority.
With the PPP having 27 members in the house, he has three options: dissolve the assembly to prevent the party from coming to power, step down, or face a no-trust vote.
The final decision, however, will be taken today (Tuesday), but the premier is likely to step down, the source added. He also dispelled the impression that the PM was waiting for the announcement of a nominee for the coveted slot in the hope that such a decision would polarise the alliance against him.
The source further said that PM Haq and his six associates would sit on the opposition benches after he quits.
AJK PM’s ‘days numbered’ as allies close ranks
• PML-N to support PPP in potential no-trust vote against AJK premier, but won’t join govt • Insiders say Haq likely to resign...
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No confidence moved in AJK Assembly; PPP nominates Rathore for PM
A resolution for a vote of no confidence was submitted to the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly’s special secretary, Amjed Latif Abbasi on Friday.On October 27, PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira announced that his party and the PML-N had agreed on bringing a no-confidence motion against the government in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The AJK Legislative Assembly has 52 members, and to achieve a simple majority, a party requires the support of 27 members.
Earlier today, the PPP put forward the name of Faisal Rathore as their nominee for the position of the prime minister of the territory, its AJK party president said.
The resolution was handed over to Abbasi by PPP lawmakers Chaudhry Qasim Majeed, Sardar Javed Ayoub, Malik Zafar Iqbal and Chaudhry Ali Shan Soni.
Assembly Secretary Chaudhry Basharat Hussain — a relative of AJK PM Chaudhry Anwarul Haq — did not attend office on Friday.
The resolution signed by 25 lawmakers, 23 from the PPP and two from the PML-N — its regional president Shah Ghulam Qadir and his predecessor Raja Farooq Haider — accused Haq of having “lost the trust of the Legislative Assembly”.
“We, the undersigned members of the Legislative Assembly, in accordance with Article 18(4) of the Interim Constitution, hereby submit a no-confidence motion, holding that the current Prime Minister [Chaudhry] Anwarul Haq has not only lost the trust of the Legislative Assembly but has also inflicted serious damage upon the constitutional, ideological, and democratic framework of the state, through his style of governance, political narrative, and confrontational conduct,” it read.
“We, the proposers, recognise Faisal Mumtaz Rathore as the nominee for prime minister and call for the earliest completion of the electoral process in accordance with constitutional and democratic requirements, so that the continuity of government formation remains intact,” the resolution added.
The resolution had left the section naming the proposed new leader blank while signatures were being collected. Rathore’s name was later handwritten into the document before submission.
Additionally, 19 of the 25 signatories were members of Haq’s own cabinet, and none resigned even after filing the no-confidence motion.
When a reporter asked Malik Zafar Iqbal as to why they had not resigned, he said: “Our decisions are taken by our central leadership, and as yet no such directive has been issued.”
Meanwhile, Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar summoned the Legislative Assembly to meet at 3pm on Monday to vote on the resolution.
PPP AJK President Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin, while speaking to the media earlier today outside Zardari House in Islamabad, along with PPP leader Raja Pervez Ashraf, said, “Our chairman has decided … that Faisal Rathore, who is the general secretary of our party in AJK, will be nominated for the position of PM.”
He detailed that “we are going to table the vote of no confidence today, so god willing, in the next few days, PPP will have its government in AJK.”
“The voting will begin on Monday,” he later said in response to a question.
“Faisal Rathore is an educated young man; he has a lot of experience and has been part of the assembly before,” Ashraf said.
Before announcing the nomination, Ashraf told the media that the party had taken an “excellent decision”, reaffirming that the PPP “remains committed to the people of Kashmir”.
“Right now, we want to ease their hardships and pave the way for the next elections,” he said.
Chaudhry echoed similar thoughts, stating that the generations of party leaders had “always taken a strong stance on Kashmir”.
Before making the announcement, Chaudhry said, “We have the required number (in the legislative assembly), I feel that we have the golden number.”
Ashraf told the media that PPP was the “largest parliamentary party (in the legislative assembly) and we have the support of our allies.”
He expressed confidence that his party “is in the position to form the government,” noting that they had the required “strength.”
He continued: “PPP will bring peace to Kashmir and ease their hardships; the promises made to the Action Committee will be fulfilled as well.”
On October 28, sources had told Dawn that the names of Chaudhry Latif Akbar, Chaudhry Yasin, Rathore and Sardar Yaqub were under consideration for the top slot.
Under the AJK Constitution, the movers of a no-confidence resolution are required to name a successor to the sitting prime minister.
Who is Faisal Rathore?
A senior figure in PPP’s AJK chapter, Rathore has long been associated with the region’s politics.
Born on April 11, 1978, in Rawalpindi, he is the son of the late Raja Mumtaz Hussain Rathore, a former AJK prime minister who also served as senior minister, leader of the opposition and speaker of the Legislative Assembly at various stages of his political career.
His mother, Begum Farhat Rathore, belonged to a migrant family from Indian-occupied Kashmir; she was a member of the state legislature and headed the PPP Women’s Wing.
The Rathore family, based in AJK’s remote Haveli district, is regarded among the founding political families of the PPP in Azad Kashmir.
Rathore completed his early education in Rawalpindi and graduated from the University of the Punjab. After the death of his father, his elder brother Masood Mumtaz Rathore was elected to the AJK Legislative Assembly in 1999 for the remainder of the term.
He first entered electoral politics in 2006 from LA-17 Haveli Kahuta. He won his first assembly seat in the 2011 general elections on a PPP ticket and later served in the cabinet of then prime minister Chaudhry Abdul Majeed as minister for AJK Logging and Sawmills Corporation and minister for electricity.
In 2016, he was arrested in what was widely viewed as a politically motivated case but was subsequently exonerated.
The politician was appointed secretary general of the PPP AJK chapter on March 23, 2017, a position he continues to hold.
In the 2021 elections, he returned to the assembly and remained an active voice on the opposition benches.
In 2023, Rathore joined the coalition government led by Haq as minister for Local Government and Rural Development and was also tasked with heading the government’s negotiation committee with the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee.
Known for his soft-spoken, conciliatory and non-controversial disposition, he is seen as a figure who maintains working relationships across political and administrative circles.
He has also worked in national media, hosting a regular programme on a private TV channel.
Within the PPP, he is considered a trusted confidant of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Faryal Talpur and is viewed as a representative of the party’s ideological and middle-class cadre.
Source: DAWN
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Fun fact - brother of the current AJK PM is a retired general and both are nephews of the PPP grandee Aitzaz Ahsan.
It is all a political gameshow.
It is all a political gameshow.
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AJK governament is a joke show actually....
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AJK sees power shift as PPP's Faisal Rathore replaces Anwarul Haq as PM
The Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Monday voted out Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq and picked Pakistan Peoples Party nominee Faisal Mumtaz Rathore to replace him, ending days of political manoeuvring in Muzaffarabad.
The session, presided over by Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar, began with lawmakers formally tabling the no-confidence motion against Haq. The move came from Sardar Javed Ayub, Chaudhry Qasim Majeed and their colleagues, who put forward Rathore as their choice for the top job.
When the voting began, Rathore sailed through with 36 votes, while only two members opposed him. With the required simple majority being 27, the result was decisive. Rathore is set to become the 16th Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir, with his oath-taking planned for Tuesday.
Outside the Assembly, security was visibly heightened. Only lawmakers, authorised staff and accredited media were allowed in as officials kept entry tightly controlled. All members were instructed to walk into the House together.
Haq, elected in April 2023 with 48 votes, opted not to resign and instead chose to face the vote head-on. The PPP had already thrown its weight behind Rathore, and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, while backing the no-confidence motion, made it clear it didn’t plan to join the new government.
The PPP’s push for a power shift follows President Asif Ali Zardari’s political roadmap announced last month. The party filed the no-confidence motion last week, nominated Rathore for the top office and submitted the resolution with the signatures required to set the process in motion.
Under Assembly rules, once the motion is filed, it must be listed for business within three to seven days. After that, the speaker is constitutionally bound to fix a voting day, and once that day arrives, the session must continue until the vote is held. Speaker Akbar convened Monday’s session under Article 27 of the AJK Constitution.
Though the PML-N signed the motion, it declined to back the PPP candidate and will now sit on the opposition benches, positioning itself carefully for the July 2026 elections. Across Muzaffarabad, security remained tight, and PPP’s central leadership is expected to attend the oath-taking ceremony on Tuesday.
The incoming government will have plenty to navigate, honouring action committee agreements, responding to the PML-N’s push for early polls and keeping the cabinet capped at 20 ministers.
Who is Faisal Mumtaz Rathore?
Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, born on April 11, 1978 in Rawalpindi, comes from one of Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s most recognised political families. His father, the late Mumtaz Hussain Rathore — a senior PPP figure — served in several key roles: senior minister in 1975, prime minister in 1990, leader of the opposition in 1991 and speaker of the Assembly in 1996.
His mother, Begum Farhat Rathore, was also elected to the AJK Legislative Assembly and led the PPP Women’s Wing. The Rathores are known as one of the PPP’s founding families in the region. Faisal studied in Rawalpindi and later graduated from the University of the Punjab. After his father’s passing, his elder brother Masood Mumtaz Rathore filled the Assembly seat in 1999 for the remaining term.
AJK sees power shift as PPP's Faisal Rathore replaces Anwarul Haq as PM | The Express Tribune
Elected in April 2023 with 48 votes, Haq opted not to resign and instead chose to face the no-confidence vote head-on
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Prosperity of AJK’s people among Centre’s priorities, Shehbaz tells PM-elect Faisal Rathore
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday assured newly elected Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) premier Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore that the prosperity and progress of the region were among the federal government’s top priorities.
Their telephonic conversation came a day after PPP’s Rathore was announced as the new AJK prime minister after Chaudhry Anwarul Haq was ousted through a vote of no-confidence (VoNC) in the region’s legislative assembly.
In a phone call, PM Shehbaz conveyed his heartfelt congratulations to Rathore on being elected as the new premier of AJK, state-run PTV News reported.
“The progress and prosperity of AJK’s people are among the federal government’s priorities,” the prime minister was quoted as saying.
He further assured Rathore that the Centre was determined to work with the AJK government for the “welfare, economic development, prosperity, and peace and security” of the region’s public.
PM Shehbaz pledged that the federal government will provide “every possible cooperation” to the AJK set-up. He also expressed his best wishes to the PM-elect for his tenure.
Rathore is AJK’s fourth premier in the last four years, and the 16th since 1975 when the parliamentary form of government was introduced in the region.
The no-confidence vote against Chaudhry had sailed through on Monday with 36 votes from PPP and PML-N members, while two PTI opposition members voted against it.
Under the AJK Constitution, a note of no-confidence against the sitting prime minister automatically counts as a vote in favour of the lawmaker proposed as his successor in the same resolution.
Rathore will take the oath as AJK’s new prime minister at the President’s House in Muzaffarabad today.
Previously, it was reported that the oath would be administered by President Barrister Sultan Mahmood.
However, reports suggested that the president may not be able to travel to the regional capital owing to his health issues, and that AJK Legislative Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar would perform this duty on his behalf.
After his election yesterday, the 47-year-old PM-elect announced several administrative measures, including a downsizing process, a new transport policy for officials, and limiting the number of secretaries to 20. He also pledged to address public issues and cater to the needs of low-paid staff.
DAWN NEWS
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday assured newly elected Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) premier Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore that the prosperity and progress of the region were among the federal government’s top priorities.
Their telephonic conversation came a day after PPP’s Rathore was announced as the new AJK prime minister after Chaudhry Anwarul Haq was ousted through a vote of no-confidence (VoNC) in the region’s legislative assembly.
In a phone call, PM Shehbaz conveyed his heartfelt congratulations to Rathore on being elected as the new premier of AJK, state-run PTV News reported.
“The progress and prosperity of AJK’s people are among the federal government’s priorities,” the prime minister was quoted as saying.
He further assured Rathore that the Centre was determined to work with the AJK government for the “welfare, economic development, prosperity, and peace and security” of the region’s public.
PM Shehbaz pledged that the federal government will provide “every possible cooperation” to the AJK set-up. He also expressed his best wishes to the PM-elect for his tenure.
Rathore is AJK’s fourth premier in the last four years, and the 16th since 1975 when the parliamentary form of government was introduced in the region.
The no-confidence vote against Chaudhry had sailed through on Monday with 36 votes from PPP and PML-N members, while two PTI opposition members voted against it.
Under the AJK Constitution, a note of no-confidence against the sitting prime minister automatically counts as a vote in favour of the lawmaker proposed as his successor in the same resolution.
Rathore will take the oath as AJK’s new prime minister at the President’s House in Muzaffarabad today.
Previously, it was reported that the oath would be administered by President Barrister Sultan Mahmood.
However, reports suggested that the president may not be able to travel to the regional capital owing to his health issues, and that AJK Legislative Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar would perform this duty on his behalf.
After his election yesterday, the 47-year-old PM-elect announced several administrative measures, including a downsizing process, a new transport policy for officials, and limiting the number of secretaries to 20. He also pledged to address public issues and cater to the needs of low-paid staff.
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AJK forms 20-member cabinet under pact with Awami Action Committee
A 20-member Azad Jammu and Kashmir cabinet, including two advisers, has taken oath after being formed in line with an agreement reached with the Joint Awami Action Committee, which required the cabinet size not to exceed 20 members.Acting Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) President Chaudhry Latif Akbar administered the oath to 18 ministers at a ceremony in Muzaffarabad on Wednesday, while Prime Minister Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore swore in the two advisers. One woman minister has been included in the new cabinet.
The oath-taking ceremony was attended by former AJK president and prime minister Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan, former prime minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan, the chief secretary, inspector general of police, departmental secretaries and a large number of Pakistan Peoples Party workers.
The ministers who took oath included Mian Abdul Waheed, Sardar Javed Ayub, Javed Iqbal Budhanvi, Chaudhry Arshad Hussain, Chaudhry Muhammad Rasheed, Ali Shan Soni, Syed Bazil Ali Naqvi, Sardar Muhammad Hussain Khan, Chaudhry Yasir Sultan, Chaudhry Ikhlaq Ahmed, Chaudhry Aamir Yasin, Sardar Ziaul Qamar, Zafar Iqbal Malik, Diwan Ali Khan Chughtai, Chaudhry Muhammad Rafiq Nair, Chaudhry Qasim Majeed, Sardar Faheem Akhtar Rabbani and Nabila Ayub.
PM Rathore administered the oath to Sardar Ahmed Sagheer and Sardar Fahad Yaqoob as advisers to the government. During the ceremony, Secretary Services and General Administration Zafar Mehmood Khan read out the official notification of appointments.
With the swearing-in of the new cabinet, the government has completed a key stage of its formation. Officials said the administration remains committed to honouring the agreement with the JAAC and addressing public demands going forward.
After a deadly protest that left 10 people dead in October, the government struck a deal with the JAAC to de-escalate tensions and address public grievances. Under the agreement, the size of the cabinet was to be capped at 20 members, including ministers and advisers. The pact also restricts the number of administrative secretaries to no more than 20 at any given time.
Rathore of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) was elected the 16th Prime Minister of AJK on Monday after Chaudhry Anwarul Haq was removed through a no-confidence motion in the state's Legislative Assembly. He received 36 votes in the 53-member assembly, where only 44 legislators were present. The PPP secured victory for its candidate with the support of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.
Source: The Express Tribune
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