AJK political heat rises as ruling PPP backs abolition of Refugee seats

MUZAFFARABAD (Rizwan Abassi): The political landscape of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has entered a high-stakes phase as controversy deepens over the highly contested 12 Legislative Assembly seats reserved for Pakistan-based refugees.

According to credible inside sources, the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has finalized its strategy to internally align with the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), which has long demanded the absolute termination of these specific constituencies.

Sources closely monitoring the situation reveal that the local leadership of the PPP has been maintaining a policy of silent support toward the JAAC’s charter of demands for several months.

PPP local leaders have reportedly been discussing the abolition of these reserved seats openly in private gatherings, indicating a clear shift in the party’s electoral outlook. The party leadership has already issued directives to its grassroots workers to keep tight coordination and stay on the same page with the public action committee.

This major political development comes right before the highly anticipated All Parties Conference (APC) scheduled to take place in Muzaffarabad.

The upcoming APC is now being viewed as the final battleground where the destiny of the refugee seats will be decided. Insiders claim that the PPP will firmly present its narrative in favor of dissolving these seats during the grand meeting.

Political analysts suggest that the elimination of these 12 refugee seats could grant massive electoral advantages to the ruling PPP within the territory, changing local dynamics entirely.

However, the proposal faces massive resistance from other major political entities, especially the PML-N, which expects strong numbers from refugee voters settled in Punjab. As the APC approaches, the political temperature across Muzaffarabad remains critical, making this the most vital turning point before the upcoming general elections.