Former Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas declared on Wednesday that he has joined the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP). This announcement followed a meeting with IPP President Abdul Aleem Khan and State Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Awn Choudhary. During the meeting, IPP chief and federal minister Aleem Khan formally welcomed Tanveer Ilyas by presenting him with the party’s muffler.
This political shift occurred after Tanveer Ilyas resigned from his primary membership in the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) AJK chapter. His resignation came amid failed negotiations over the allocation of election tickets, a development seen by political analysts as a significant setback for PPP ahead of the AJK Legislative Assembly elections scheduled for July 27.
The core of the dispute centered on ticket distribution for the upcoming polls. Sardar Ilyas had requested tickets for multiple constituencies, including Bagh Central, Pachiot, Upper Neelum, and Rawalakot City. However, the Bagh Central seat became a major sticking point, ultimately hindering agreement between him and the party leadership.
Meanwhile, another notable development unfolded as AJK government minister Ali Shan Soni also resigned from PPP’s primary membership. This departure has further intensified concerns within PPP ranks regarding the potential political repercussions as the elections approach.
In a related context, the AJK Election Commission recently announced that the regional elections will take place on July 27. The previous elections in the area were held in July 2021, marking a crucial moment for all political parties involved.
