President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif conducted a pivotal meeting at the President House on Thursday, deliberating on national political developments and the anticipated government transition in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
The high-level consultation brought together senior leadership from both Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). Key attendees included PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, former Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Senator Sherry Rehman, and Syed Naveed Qamar. The government was represented by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and PM’s Adviser Senator Rana Sanaullah.
The coalition partners engaged in comprehensive discussions regarding Pakistan’s evolving political landscape and the impending power shift in AJK. According to sources, the leadership focused extensively on strategies surrounding the anticipated in-house political change in the region.
The PPP has finalized Chaudhry Yasin as their nominee for AJK Prime Minister following internal deliberations. Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari chaired the crucial meeting where four potential candidates—Chaudhry Yasin, Latif Akbar, Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, and Sardar Yaqoob Khan—were considered before selecting Yasin.
In a significant development, Federal Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal revealed that PML-N has decided to remain in opposition while supporting the PPP’s no-confidence motion. This strategic decision emerged after President Zardari’s earlier meeting with the Kashmir Affairs Committee, which included senior figures from both coalition parties.
The developments signal a major political realignment in AJK, with both coalition partners coordinating their approach toward the region’s governance structure.
