New AJK govt: PML-N meets in Murree

Nawaz, PM Shehbaz, AJK leaders attend consultations

LAHORE:

The PML-N leadership held an important consultative meeting in Murree on Friday to deliberate on the formation of the next Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government as well as growing strains within the ruling coalition at the Centre.

PML-N President Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and former Punjab chief minister Hamza Shehbaz attended the meeting.

Hamza, who was recently assigned a new responsibility at the Prime Minister's Office, returned to Islamabad after concluding his tour of Europe.

Maryam travelled from Lahore after attending an August 14 ceremony, while the PML-N's AJK leadership and winning candidates were also reportedly present at the meeting.

The consultations focused primarily on the formation of the AJK government and possible candidates for key positions in the new setup.

The PML-N has already secured a simple majority after winning more than two dozen of the 38 seats contested so far in the 45-member AJK Legislative Assembly. Polling on the remaining seats in the fourth phase is yet to take place.

Party leaders discussed the emerging numbers and possible candidates for the top positions as the process of government formation gathers pace. The meeting took place against the backdrop of growing differences between the PML-N and its coalition partner, the PPP.

The PPP has recently launched a strong criticism of the PML-N and its leadership over alleged rigging in the AJK elections. A senior PPP leader indicated that there would be no let-up in criticism by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who is expected to take on the PML-N during the upcoming session of the National Assembly.

According to sources, a number of PPP leaders are now advocating that the party should gradually move towards the opposition benches to fully capitalise on the prevailing political situation.

Differences over the appointment of PPP-recommended judges have also reportedly frustrated elements within the party which earlier favoured a reconciliatory approach towards the PML-N.

The growing friction within the coalition has emerged as another important challenge for the PML-N leadership, which is already dealing with several political issues.

Within the PML-N, another issue causing concern is the recent push for the creation of smaller administrative units, which party circles view as an initiative being promoted by "the blue-eyed of the powers that be".

A senior PML-N leader, speaking to The Express Tribune earlier, opposed the proposal, saying: "We will oppose this perpetual experimentation with Pakistan."

The leader said any move to create new administrative units in haste would weaken all political parties and could have far-reaching political consequences.

The issue of new provinces and smaller administrative units is therefore expected to remain an important subject of discussion within the PML-N as the party simultaneously works on forming the next AJK government and managing its increasingly strained relationship with the PPP.