ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has secured the required number of lawmakers to form the government in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) after nine ministers from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) forward bloc announced their decision to join the PPP.
According to party reports, five PTI ministers — Chaudhry Yasir, Muhammad Hussain, Chaudhry Muhammad Akhlaq, Chaudhry Arshad, and Chaudhry Muhammad Rasheed — met with Faryal Talpur and Chaudhry Riaz and formally joined the PPP.
In a separate meeting, four additional PTI forward bloc ministers — Faheem Akhtar Rabbani, Abdul Majeed Khan, Muhammad Akbar Ibrahim, and Asim Sharif Butt — also announced their inclusion in the PPP after meeting Faryal Talpur.
Faryal Talpur welcomed the new members, expressing confidence in their decision, and said that the PPP has always been the true representative of the people of Azad Kashmir. She reaffirmed the party’s commitment to continue its struggle for the political and economic rights of the region’s citizens.
Additionally, Azad Kashmir’s Minister for Higher Education, Zafar Iqbal Malik, also joined the PPP after a meeting with Faryal Talpur and Chaudhry Riaz. With his inclusion, the PPP’s strength in the AJK Legislative Assembly has risen to 27 members.
Sources within the party revealed that the PPP plans to form the government without seeking support from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
Faryal Talpur is hosting a dinner tonight (Monday) at 10 PM at the Sindh House in Islamabad, which will be attended by members of the PPP parliamentary party, as well as lawmakers representing migrant constituencies and the Barrister Sultan group.
According to sources, the Barrister Sultan group has assured Faryal Talpur of their votes in support of the PPP. The group reportedly includes five members, while another five members from migrant seats have also pledged support. Two additional members are said to be backing the PPP discreetly.
