Former prime minister and PML-N President Nawaz Sharif has convened a party meeting in Murree on August 15. According to sources, the meeting will focus on matters related to the formation of the government in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
Nawaz Sharif reached his residence at Kashmir Point in Murree from Changla Gali in Galiyat. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Hamza Shehbaz will also attend the meeting. Important federal ministers and senior party leaders will also participate. All newly elected members of the PML-N from the Azad Kashmir Assembly have also been invited to Murree for the meeting. Foolproof security arrangements have been made in Murree in view of the expected movement of VIPs.
A few days earlier, PML-N Azad Kashmir Secretary General Chaudhry Tariq Farooq said party supremo Nawaz Sharif will have the final say in selecting the next Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) prime minister, in consultation with the party’s senior leadership. In a statement issued following the recent elections, Mr Farooq said the party’s decision on government formation would be guided by collective interests rather than individual ambitions.
He said Nawaz Sharif would make the final decision after consulting senior party leaders, stressing that the office of the AJK premier should not be viewed as a political reward. According to Farooq, the incoming government will face major challenges, including maintaining public order, ensuring political stability, improving governance, addressing economic pressures, reforming institutions and promoting sustainable development. He said the real challenge for the new government would be to restore public confidence and strengthen state institutions after the elections.