The Pakistan Muslim League‑Nawaz (PML-N) has officially withdrawn from the government of Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) and announced that it will now act as a constructive opposition. Announcing the move, PML-N AJK President Shah Ghulam Qadir stated the party will not join any newly formed coalition government.
Qadir acknowledged that if the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) pursues a no-confidence motion, it is within its democratic rights. He pointed out, however, that PML-N intends to steer clear of “unnatural or forced coalitions.” Instead, he stressed, the party will maintain its role as a constructive opposition dedicated to the welfare of refugees and overseas Kashmiris.
Sharif,”According to Qadir, any PML-N member who contravenes the party’s policy will face disciplinary measures. He emphasised that a genuinely stable government for AJK can only be achieved through transparent general elections. “We will run a vigorous election campaign under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif,” Qadir said, adding that his party will continue to play a positive role in tackling AJK’s constitutional and political challenges.
—toCurrently, the AJK government is led by Chaudhry Anwaarul Haq of the Pakistan Tehreek‑e‑Insaf (PTI). He assumed office in April 2023 after the disqualification of Sardar Tanveer Ilyas, who was barred from assembly membership for two years on contempt charges. Prior to this, Haq served as the AJK assembly speaker from August 2021 and formed a 12-member bloc within PTI, aligning with the opposition—including PPP and PML-N — to secure his leadership unopposed.
The PML-N’s departure from the government comes amid heightened tensions in the region. Recent violent protests left at least nine people dead, including three police officers, and more than 100 injured. These demonstrations were sparked by demands from the Awami Action Committee (AAC), which issued a 38-point charter of grievances calling for the abolition of 12 reserved seats for refugees and revocation of “elite privileges.” While the region experienced strike action and widespread clashes in Muzaffarabad, the situation de-escalated after the AAC and federal government reached an agreement on October 3.
With PML-N now choosing an independent opposition path in AJK, the region’s political landscape enters a fresh chapter—one in which the party vows to guard democratic norms and champion key socio-political reforms.
