s Pakistan Peoples Party marked its 58th Foundation Day on November 30, it had already secured a major political breakthrough in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Through a carefully managed—and to many, unexpected—realignment with the dissident Forward Bloc of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, the PPP succeeded in reclaiming power in the region. With this shift, Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore has become the fifth chief executive of the AJK to emerge from the PPP, underscoring the party’s enduring imprint on local politics.

The PPP formally established its organisational structure in AJK in 1974. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, whose popularity in the region was undeniable, recognised the growing demand for a parliamentary system in the wake of Pakistan’s 1973 constitution. Responding to these aspirations, he introduced the Interim Constitution of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (Act, 1974), replacing the earlier presidential model and laying the foundation for a new political order. In the 1975 elections, the PPP formed the government. It remained in power until 1978, when Gen Zia-ul Haq toppled the system and appointed a serving army officer as the region’s chief executive.

Over the decades, the PPP in AJK has weathered factional strife, shifting alliances and intense political competition. Yet, it has consistently demonstrated resilience, maintaining its status as a potent political force. After Sindh, AJK remains the PPP’s strongest base, supported by a grassroots network and influential political families across Muzaffarabad, Poonch and Mirpur. The third generation of PPP leadership is now emerging. Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore symbolises this generational transition.

However, AJK’s political landscape has undergone a profound shift over the past four years. A new class of political actors has risen through sustained agitation led by the Joint Awami Action Committee. For the first time, ordinary citizens saw a genuine grassroots movement—centred on rights, accountability and economic justice—deliver results once masses were mobilised, and their leaders commanded public trust. The agitation exposed widespread frustration with AJK’s sluggish, archaic bureaucracy and strengthened the demands for governance reforms, efficient service delivery and financial transparency. A major rallying cry was the demand to end extravagant expenditures on political elites and their families.

The JAAC-led movement empowered citizens and delivered a clear warning to the authorities: governance by inertia would no longer be tolerated. Prime Minister Rathore has sought to engage the public directly, to accelerate public-interest projects and reduce ministries and departments—an effort to restore confidence in state authorities.

Yet, time is not on the government’s side.

General elections are scheduled for August 2026, giving the administration barely six months of effective political space to deliver tangible results. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz remains a formidable contender in the AJK. It is bolstered by institutional support from both the federal and Punjab governments.

Crucially, nine of the twelve refugee seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly fall within the Punjab—making them particularly vulnerable to political engineering. Historically, these seats have gone to the ruling parties in Islamabad and Lahore, with little regard for transparency. Senator Rana Sanaullah has already signaled that the PML-N intends to secure these seats through close coordination with local authorities.

If the PPP succeeds in ensuring transparent elections on these refugee seats, it stands a strong chance of forming the next government in the AJK. Owing to recurring controversies surrounding these constituencies, the JAAC has demanded their abolition—an idea gaining wide acceptance across the political spectrum. This places additional pressure on the PPP to demonstrate a credible commitment to electoral fairness.

At the local level, nearly 3,000 elected members of municipal bodies have been demanding administrative and financial powers since 2022. Successive governments have failed to devolve authority to these institutions, deepening mistrust among elected representatives and reinforcing perceptions that political elites seek to hoard power. Many assembly members continue to manage their constituencies on personal whims rather than merit or principle, with minimal accountability. Empowering local governments remains essential for addressing people’s everyday problems at their doorsteps. Encouragingly, a high-level federal delegation recently assured the JAAC that local bodies would be granted meaningful autonomy.

Several governance reforms were also agreed upon a few months ago, following an agitation that reportedly also resulted in several deaths. In this context, the new government has announced a series of measures, including the issuance of health cards, a reduction in property taxes, the restoration of student unions and the allocation of funds for major infrastructure projects.

The JAAC maintains that the new government must take concrete steps to implement the agreed points in both letter and spirit.

Internally, too, the PPP faces pressing challenges. Many senior leaders have introduced their sons and daughters as political heirs, reinforcing dynastic politics. A significant portion of the leadership continues to come from traditional political families or financially dominant clans. Recently, two advisory positions were awarded to sons of sitting assembly members who are considered to have made no significant contribution to the party. This decision disillusioned many young PPP workers who have devoted years to the party, drawing widespread criticism across the AJK.

Even so, the PPP’s control of the government gives it a clear advantage over the PML-N. Until elections are held, the PPP commands the state apparatus, allowing it to strengthen its grassroots presence. More importantly, the change in government has already sent a strong signal that the PPP may be a frontrunner in the next electoral cycle.

Prime Minister Rathore—young, energetic and politically seasoned—is at a defining moment. If he can unify his party, address public grievances, overhaul the outdated administrative structure and take bold decisions, he has the potential to shape AJK’s politics for years to come. His leadership will determine whether the PPP’s resurgence evolves into lasting political success or be just another lost opportunity.

The writer is a freelance contributor. He can be reached at [email protected]. His X handle: @ErshadMahmud.