A new political deadlock has emerged between the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) over the no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
The PML-N has made its support conditional on holding early elections, sources confirmed on Thursday.
According to party insiders, the PML-N has informed the PPP that it will only back the no-confidence move if early elections are held after fulfilling all constitutional requirements including the appointment of a new Chief Election Commissioner.
PML-N leaders maintain that fresh elections are the only way to ensure political stability in Azad Kashmir. They argue that delaying polls could deepen the crisis and allow misuse of public resources.
Sources within the PML-N said the party fears that the PPP could exploit billions of rupees in government funds for political and electoral purposes. They also expressed concerns that the PPP could influence upcoming elections by leveraging thousands of available government jobs in AJK.
“If we support the PPP now, we may end up sitting in the opposition again,” one senior PML-N member remarked. “Immediate elections are the only fair solution.”
On the other hand, the PPP remains adamant about completing its full constitutional term in power. Party sources say the PPP leadership wants the PML-N to join the government rather than push for elections.
“The PPP believes that stability requires continuity, not confrontation,” a party insider told reporters.
According to sources, top leaders of both parties are expected to meet again once Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif returns home. The meeting aims to break the ongoing impasse and decide on a unified political strategy for Azad Kashmir.