Political Temperature Rises in Azad Kashmir
The political landscape of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has entered a new phase of uncertainty as the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) decided to part ways with the government led by Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq.
According to party sources, the central leadership has called a special meeting on October 10 in Karachi to formalize this crucial decision. The session, to be chaired by Faryal Talpur, is expected to finalize the party’s withdrawal from the ruling coalition and deliberate on the name of a potential new prime minister.
This development comes amid increasing political tension in Muzaffarabad, with analysts warning that the PPP’s exit could trigger a fresh round of instability in the region’s already fragile political environment.
Leadership Meeting to Seal the Decision
The upcoming Karachi meeting is seen as pivotal for PPP’s future role in Azad Kashmir politics. Senior PPP leaders from AJK are expected to brief the central leadership about the evolving situation and seek formal approval for their strategy.
Party insiders suggest that following leadership endorsement, the PPP may nominate its own candidate for the prime minister’s position. The name could be finalized during the same meeting, signaling the start of a new power struggle within the assembly.
If the party formally withdraws its support, Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq’s government could lose its parliamentary majority, forcing either a leadership change or the formation of a new coalition.
Pressure Mounts on Prime Minister Anwarul Haq
Meanwhile, behind-the-scenes efforts continue to persuade Prime Minister Anwarul Haq to voluntarily step down rather than face a vote of no confidence.
On Tuesday evening, the presidents of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and PPP’s AJK chapters, along with a senior federal figure, visited Kashmir House to meet the prime minister at his residence.
According to reliable sources, Shah Ghulam Qadir and Chaudhry Yasin urged him to resign and avoid dissolving the assembly. Their goal, sources say, was to ensure a smooth political transition and prevent an institutional deadlock in the region.
Political observers argue that Anwarul Haq’s “passive response” during recent crises has intensified public and political frustration, leaving his administration vulnerable to mounting pressure from both allies and the opposition.
Federal Consultation on Leadership Change
The political turmoil in AJK has also drawn attention from Islamabad.
According to reports, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has been consulting party allies and federal ministers about possible leadership changes in Azad Kashmir. The PPP’s central leadership has also been taken into confidence during these discussions, indicating that the move has tacit federal backing.
Analysts note that the timing of the PPP’s decision is significant. It comes as the federal government seeks to stabilize relations with the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) after recent unrest over resource allocation and governance issues in the region.
Dispute Over Refugee Ministers’ Resignations
Complicating the situation further, the agreement reached earlier between the federal government and the JAAC included a clause calling for the dismissal of refugee ministers from the cabinet. However, these ministers have now refused to resign, openly declaring that they will not vacate their seats.
According to sources, Prime Minister Anwarul Haq requested the ministers to tender their resignations, but after their refusal, the government is now considering de-notifying them from their positions.
Given the escalating tensions, the option of dissolving the entire cabinet is also under active consideration. Such a move, however, could deepen the political crisis and further strain relations between Islamabad and Muzaffarabad.
A Complex Political Future
The coming days will be critical for Azad Kashmir’s political trajectory.
If the PPP formally withdraws and nominates its own prime minister, it could trigger a reshuffling of alliances within the assembly.
Observers believe that a leadership change may offer temporary stability but could also exacerbate existing divisions among ruling parties.
As political maneuvering intensifies, ordinary citizens watch closely, hoping that the outcome will bring much-needed governance and stability to the region.
For now, Azad Kashmir’s political scene remains in flux — with every move by the PPP and its rivals shaping the region’s uncertain future.
