By Naseer Chaudhary | Location: Muzaffarabad
Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s political landscape stands at a critical turning point, where public trust in political parties is rapidly eroding. More than two and a half years into the current government’s tenure, the political system itself has suffered the deepest damage, sliding towards paralysis and discontent.
The Beginning of the Political Deadlock
The crisis began on April 20, 2023, with the unexpected election of Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq as Prime Minister. His selection triggered surprise and suspicion across the political spectrum. Out of the 53-member Legislative Assembly, 48 members voted for him — yet many were unsure which party’s candidate they were actually supporting.
Initially, Anwar-ul-Haq had the backing of only 12 members when he met representatives from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N). Within hours, the number of supporters doubled. The vote took place at 1 a.m., but by the next morning, his political priorities seemed to have changed. The election of the Speaker, originally scheduled for the next day, was postponed for nearly two months. The cabinet formation, expected within a week, took three months, and the division of departments was delayed for another month — signaling political stagnation and powerlessness.
Collapse of Party Structure and Rise of the Action Committees
As political maneuvering deepened, politicians faced humiliation and loss of authority unprecedented in their careers. When the government expanded the cabinet to 42 members through constitutional amendments, the mission of governance appeared restored — but by then, political parties had lost relevance. Grassroots workers withdrew in frustration, leaving a vacuum quickly filled by a new force: the Public Action Committee.
Initially dismissed as mere protest groups, these committees gained strength as the government closed its doors to public grievances, terminated temporary employees, and centralized all power in the hands of a few. For many citizens, the Action Committees became the only voice of representation, drawing massive support from the youth and disgruntled voters who felt alienated by traditional parties.
Power Concentration and Public Alienation
When ministerial powers were curtailed and only 27 Members of the Legislative Assembly were given control over state decisions, the disconnect between citizens and the political system widened. Traditional political parties turned into silent spectators, pacifying their own workers instead of standing with the people. As a result, these parties were not just weakened — they were effectively neutralized.
The turning point came when the Public Action Committee directly negotiated with the Government of Pakistan and succeeded in having several demands accepted. This moment symbolized a shift in moral legitimacy: for the first time, an unelected civil movement, not a political party, had the public’s mandate.
The Last Chance for Traditional Politics
Political observers believe that this may be the final opportunity for mainstream parties to rebuild trust. If federal interference continues and if local branches of Pakistani parties remain deprived of decision-making power, the political vacuum may deepen before the 2026 elections.
Analysts recommend several urgent reforms:
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Replace the Prime Minister with a leader who enjoys genuine public confidence.
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Restore authority to elected representatives and empower local leadership.
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End bureaucratic overreach and lift unnecessary restrictions on employment and governance.
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Allow grassroots decision-making to return, so citizens feel politically represented again.
If these reforms are not implemented, the 2026 elections may spell disaster for traditional parties. Meanwhile, the Public Action Committee has already announced that it “will not leave the people alone in the next elections,” indicating a possible new political movement emerging from civil society.
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Public trust in Azad Kashmir’s political parties is collapsing. As the Action Committees rise and traditional politicians lose relevance, experts warn this could be their last chance to survive before the 2026 elections.
Azad Kashmir political crisis
Public disillusionment in AJK
Muzaffarabad politics 2025
AJK government news
Azad Kashmir elections 2026
Public Action Committee Azad Kashmir
Anwar-ul-Haq AJK Prime Minister
AJK political instability
Pakistan and Azad Kashmir politics
Kashmir governance reform
