The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chapters in Azad Jammu and Kashmir have officially formed an electoral alliance for the July 27 elections to the 53-member AJK Legislative Assembly. This coalition involves fielding joint candidates in specific constituencies, marking a strategic collaboration between the two parties.
The alliance was revealed during a joint press conference held in Islamabad by PPP AJK President Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin and JUI-F AJK chief Maulana Saeed Yousaf. Senior Minister Mian Abdul Waheed, Minister Nabeela Ayub, Political Assistant Syed Azadar Hussain Kazmi, and other party officials were also in attendance.
Under the terms of the agreement, JUI-F will present joint candidates in LA-23 Sudhnoti/Pallandri and LA-14 Western Bagh/Dhirkot constituencies. Supporting this pact, PPP candidates Nabeela Ayub and Zobia Khurshid agreed to withdraw their nomination papers, while JUI-F will endorse PPP candidates in all other constituencies.
Chaudhry Yasin described the alliance as a major milestone in AJK politics, crediting PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman for facilitating the partnership. He reaffirmed the PPP’s dedication to the Kashmir issue, emphasizing the party’s consistent efforts to highlight it on national and international platforms.
Maulana Saeed Yousaf called this the first formal electoral alliance between PPP and JUI-F in AJK. He instructed JUI-F candidates who had filed nominations in other constituencies to withdraw in compliance with the party’s decision.
Minister Mian Abdul Waheed remarked that the alliance demonstrates the political maturity and mutual understanding between the leadership of both parties. Meanwhile, Minister Nabeela Ayub announced her withdrawal in line with party policy and pledged to actively campaign for the joint candidate in her constituency.
Leaders from both parties expressed optimism that this coalition would enhance their electoral prospects and pave the way for them to form the next government in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Separately, the PPP, led by Bilawal Bhutto, released its initial list of 35 candidates for the upcoming elections. These nominees cover constituencies across Mirpur, Bhimber, Kotli, Bagh, Poonch, Neelum, Muzaffarabad, and seats reserved for Jammu and Kashmir refugees residing in various parts of Pakistan.
Notable candidates include Afsar Shahid (LA-1 Mirpur-I), Qasim Majeed (LA-2 Mirpur-II, Chakswari), Yasar Sultan (LA-3 Mirpur City), Chaudhry Sohaib Arshad (LA-4 Khari Sharif), Chaudhry Pervez Ashraf (LA-5 Bhimber-I, Barnala), and Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin, who will contest from both LA-10 Kotli-III and LA-12 Kotli-V (Charhoi). The party plans to announce the remaining candidates in a second phase soon.
PPP officials indicated that campaign preparations are nearing completion. Political analysts anticipate that the announcement of candidates will intensify electoral activity throughout AJK as the July 27 polls approach.
