Capital abuzz as president, PM mull AJK power shift

ISLAMABAD:

Political activity in the federal capital gained unusual momentum as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met President Asif Ali Zardari to discuss the possible change of government in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and a potential power-sharing formula, sources said on Thursday.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also attended the meeting held at the Presidency.

According to sources, the meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere and discussed political development in AJK, where a change of government is being considered, along with other matters of national and political significance.

They further said that the coalition partners deliberated on the government's future strategy and the proposed power-sharing formula.

Sources noted that key decisions regarding a possible political transition in AJK are expected in light of Thursday's meeting.

On Tuesday, the PML-N AJK leadership signed the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq in the presence of PPP lawmakers.

PML-N AJK President Shah Ghulam Qadir and senior party leader Raja Farooq Haider signed the motion at Kashmir House in Islamabad. PPP leaders Chaudhry Riaz and Faisal Mumtaz Rathore were also present on the occasion.

The move followed a late-night meeting at the Presidency, chaired by President Zardari and attended by Bilawal, PML-N leaders Ahsan Iqbal, Shah Ghulam Qadir, Amir Muqam, Rana Sanaullah, Qamar Zaman Kaira, and PPP's AJK President Chaudhry Yaseen.

During the meeting, sources said, the PML-N agreed to support the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Haq but decided not to vote for the PPP's nominee for the next prime minister. The party leadership clarified that it would instead sit on the opposition benches.

"We are going to sit in opposition to contest the July 2026 elections against the PPP," PML-N AJK President Shah Ghulam Qadir said. "Sharing power or voting for a PPP prime minister would be counterproductive for us in the coming polls." He emphasised that the PML-N's cooperation with the PPP was limited solely to removing Haq from office.

With the PML-N's backing, the PPP's strength in the 52-member AJK Legislative Assembly has reportedly increased from 27 to 36, with sources claiming that the tally could cross 40 — more than enough to ensure the success of the no-confidence motion.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Haq spent Monday and Tuesday at his residence, signing dozens of development-related notifications across various government departments. He appeared composed while meeting officials in the lush green courtyard of his residence.

Haq, however, categorically ruled out resigning from office, vowing instead to face the no-confidence motion. Without naming any party, he said, "Whoever has the support of 27 members in the Assembly should come forward and submit the motion."