ISLAMABAD: The newly appointed prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Anwarul Haq, met Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Saturday for the second time in a week to reach an understanding over thorny issues, including the formation of a new cabinet.

The AJK government has struggled to manage its economic matters for the last year, with the previous administration blaming the PML-N-led federal government for depriving the region of its due funds.

Recently, a forward bloc of the PTI under Mr Haq’s leadership formed a new government in the AJK with support from the PDM lawmakers.

Since the change of government in AJK, the finance ministry at the Centre has released some Rs5 billion to the region as a development budget.

However, PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif has directed his party in the AJK to refrain from supporting any amendments aimed at increasing the number of cabinet members, something Mr Haq demands.

A source said that since this development, Mr Haq had been desperate to garner support for the amendment to accommodate all legislative members from PML-N, PPP and PTI dissidents in the new cabinet.

Under the existing law, there could only be 16 ministers besides two advisers and two special assistants.

According to the source, Mr Dar had been tasked to finalise prospective cabinet members and discuss other issues with Mr Haq.

The PML-N also wants to bring its candidate as the AJK prime minister, another source said, adding that many prospective candidates were in the run for the slot.

An official announcement issued by the finance ministry on Saturday said that Mr Haq called on Mr Dar at the finance division.

Mr Dar welcomed the AJK premier and expre­ssed the federal government’s commitment to the development and progress of all regions, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Published in Dawn, May 14th, 2023