ISLAMABAD | October 26, 2025
A major political realignment appears imminent in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) moving closer to replacing incumbent Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq with one of its own leaders, party insiders confirmed on Saturday.
In a significant development, PPP lawmakers from AJK held separate meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari and Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari in Islamabad to discuss what party officials described as the “current political situation” in the region.
Although the official handouts made no reference to a possible no-confidence motion, sources said the discussions centred on the removal of the AJK premier and the selection of his potential successor. “The decision has been almost finalised,” one insider said, adding that the PPP was considering offering Mr Haq “an honourable exit” before initiating a formal no-trust move.
Among the names being discussed for the prime ministerial slot are Chaudhry Yaseen, Chaudhry Latif Akbar, and Sardar Yaqoob, all senior figures within the party’s AJK chapter.
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.https://t.co/qdZzSwe1yQ
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) October 26, 2025
With the backing of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the PPP is believed to command the support of more than 27 lawmakers in the 53-member AJK Legislative Assembly — the simple majority required to form government. The PPP itself holds 17 seats, 10 of which are held by ministers and two by advisers, while the assembly speaker, Chaudhry Latif Akbar, also belongs to the party.
The party had earlier announced its decision to withdraw from the coalition government but remained undecided on whether to sit in opposition or establish its own administration in the region.
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Saturday’s meetings were attended by several senior PPP figures, including former prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, former federal minister Qamar Zaman Kaira, and PPP Women Wing President Faryal Talpur. Mr Kaira had recently led a government delegation that brokered peace talks with AJK protesters earlier this month following days of violent clashes that left at least 10 dead.
Party sources said a formal announcement regarding the change in AJK’s leadership could be made “within the next few days” once the final consultations conclude.
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