ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The race for the slot of President Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has entered its final stage with the Barrister Group also asserting its claim for the position.
After the demise of President Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry, while the leadership of the Pakistan Peoples’ Party called a consultative meeting to elect a new president, the Barrister Group also called its own meeting and gave a clear message to the leadership that the presidency is their right.
On Friday, an important meeting was held at the President’s House Kashmir House Islamabad, which was attended by nine members of the AJK assembly, including seven ministers of the Barrister Group.
In the meeting, Fatiha was offered for the President of Azad Kashmir Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry and rich tribute was paid to his services.
The meeting was attended by Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry’s son Chaudhry Yasir Sultan, Chaudhry Arshad Hussain, Chaudhry Rashid, Faheem Rabbani, Abdul Majid Khan, Chaudhry Akhlaq, Sardar Muhammad Hussain, Zafar Malik, and Professor Taqdees Gilani.
According to sources, Barrister Sultan Group, by showing its power, has conveyed a message to the PPP leadership that the office of President of the state is their right.
On the other hand, a meeting was called by Ms. Faryal Talpur, In-charge of Political Affairs of the Pakistan Peoples’ Party Azad Kashmir, in which the members of the Barrister Sultan Group informed her about their reservations.
It is to be recalled that recently, differences arose between the Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir Faisal Mumtaz Rathore and Minister Yasir Sultan over the transfer of the Deputy Commissioner Mirpur.
Despite Yasir Sultan’s objection, the transfer of the Deputy Commissioner Mirpur was not reversed. During this time, Barrister Sultan Mahmood fell ill, and Yasir Sultan abandoned political engagements.
Sources said that in the meeting chaired by Ms. Faryal Talpur, the Barrister Sultan Group informed about its reservations, and warned if their reservations are not addressed, they may potentially separate from the government.
The PPP government was formed with a two-thirds majority in the assembly only after the Barrister Group joined the Pakistan Peoples’ Party. If the Barrister Group takes a strong decision due to unresolved reservations, the PPP government will lose its majority.
At the time while there is talk of change once again, it is hoped that the Pakistan Peoples’ Party leadership will act wisely and resolve the Barrister Group’s reservations. Several names have also emerged for the President of the state, and everyone is busy lobbying.
Former President Barrister Sultan
It should also be remembered that Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry (late) was the only political personality in Azad Kashmir who always had a strong group. Even now, approximately 12 people from the Barrister Group are present in the assembly.
