KARACHI (Kashmir English): In a major political development in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Sardar Tanveer Ilyas, former Prime Minister of AJK, has joined the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) along with his political allies. The move was made official in Karachi, where he was warmly welcomed by senior PPP leaders Faryal Talpur and Chaudhry Riaz.
Sardar Tanveer Ilyas was accompanied by Member of the Legislative Assembly Ali Shan Soni, government advisor Ahmed Sagheer and Umar Tanveer Ilyas when he met PPP leadership in Karachi. This coalition is a big change in the political scenario of AJK in the run-up to the upcoming general elections.
Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan, a renowned businessman, turned to politics by joining Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) during the previous election. Although a native of Rawalakot, he also fought and won the elections of Rawalakot based on the Central Bagh constituency. Nevertheless, he did not come into power then as the Prime Minister because Imran Khan had proposed Sardar Qayyum Niazi to be the Prime Minister of AJK.
After the fall of Imran Khan’s federal government, Tanveer Ilyas replaced Qayyum Niazi as AJK’s Prime Minister. However, he was later disqualified by the High Court for criticising the judiciary.
Soon after being removed from office, Tanveer Ilyas joined the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) and became the president of its AJK chapter. However, the IPP failed to perform in national elections, and with Jahangir Tareen stepping back from politics, Tanveer Ilyas began considering joining a new party over the past year.
Although he also held meetings with PML-N leadership, no agreement was reached.
Sources say Tanveer Ilyas will again contest elections from Bagh, and he has reportedly finalised terms with veteran politician and former government minister Sardar Qamar Zaman Khan. Qamar Zaman will not contest in the upcoming elections, with Tanveer Ilyas and Sardar Zia-ul-Qamar set to be PPP candidates from their respective constituencies.
Former AJK President and Prime Minister Sardar Yaqoob Khan and Minister Sardar Zia-ul-Qamar were also present at the joining ceremony, signalling that PPP has confirmed election tickets for Bagh (Tanveer Ilyas) and Pachhoot (Ahmed Sagheer).
Sources indicate that a grand PPP rally will soon be held in Islamabad to formally welcome Sardar Tanveer Ilyas into the party.
