MUZAFFARABAD: Former Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) prime minister and PML-N parliamentary leader Raja Farooq Haider on Wednesday accused the PPP government of overstepping its mandate, saying it was meant to function like a caretaker setup to facilitate elections but had instead indulged in political interference and patronage.
Talking to reporters in the opposition chamber of the Legislative Assembly, Mr Haider said that despite having 22 ministers, the government’s “hunger for power has not diminished” that he claimed was evident from “undue interference in opposition constituencies and the replacement of elected representatives with party workers”.
“This approach is neither justified nor acceptable,” he said.
Raja Farooq Haider irked by alleged sidelining of leaders by PPP ministers
Mr Haider maintained that the PML-N had secured thousands of votes from every constituency in AJK and questioned why its ticket-holders were being sidelined. “In constituencies where PPP MLAs exist, consultations should also be held with PML-N ticket-holders,” he demanded.
Raising concerns over governance, the former premier called for the criteria for appointments up to Grade-5 to be made public. He also questioned the government’s decision to launch development projects worth billions of rupees while claiming a shortage of funds.
“If the government does not act with fairness, we will be left with no option but to approach the courts,” he warned.
Mr Haider also urged Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore to uphold the neutrality of his office. “He should remember that he is the prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, not a representative of a political party,” he said.
Responding to a question, the former premier maintained that the office of the AJK president was the constitutional right of political parties and should not be assigned to non-political individuals. He said he fully endorsed the stance of PML-N President Shah Ghulam Qadir on the issue, adding that it reflected a unanimous position within the party.
Published in Dawn, February 5th, 2026
