PM Qayyum

Abdul Qayyum Khan is the new Prime Minister of Azad Jammu & Kashmir. A grassroots political activist and a Muslim Conference veteran, Qayyum brings with him rich experience of governance, as he held several ministerial portfolios. It seems his choice for the high office has come after immense vetting. It is reported that Prime Minister Imran Khan interviewed a host of candidates, and his preference was in knowing what initiatives the incumbent will take for the welfare of the state. The fact that he picked a dark horse, as Qayyum was nowhere in the executive run, hints at his wisdom to let new players deliver in all sincerity.

With the PTI government being formed in AJK, Imran is at the zenith of his power. Apart from Sindh, the PTI rules the entire country, including Gilgit-Baltistan. This reflects the confidence of the people in Imran’s irresistible agenda for change. It also poses a challenge for the skipper to walk the talk, and realise his manifesto of ‘New Pakistan.’ While he is lucky to have an agenda-less opposition and the military’s support of his narrative on nation-building, there won’t be any excuses for him as his party goes to polls in 2023.

AJK is an additional feather in the PTI’s cap. The least that PM Abdul Qayyum should do is to follow the model of the first Pakhtunkhwa government, and launch a reformist agenda. The PTI has already pledged Ehsaas programme for the state; and it should work to eradicate poverty in the far-flung areas. AJK has no economy of its own; and it is dependent on grants from the Centre. This paradigm of dependence has to go. Qayyum should buoy tourism and erect an infrastructure that is market-driven. Kashmir is too serene and beautiful to be ignored. Opening up AJK to international visitors will be a shot in the arm for the freedom struggle on the other side of the divide. This will help in exposing the repression being carried out by New Delhi in IIOJ&K. AJK should stand on its feet and become a self-reliant state.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 8^th, 2021.

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