The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has officially unveiled its slate of candidates for the 2026 elections to the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly, following a crucial strategy session held at the residence of former AJK Prime Minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas in Islamabad.
High-Level Consultative Meeting
The meeting, which focused on the current political climate in Azad Kashmir and election preparations, was attended by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider, former AJK President Sardar Yaqoob Khan, senior PPP leader Chaudhry Riaz, and several other prominent Kashmiri political figures.
Participants extensively reviewed the evolving political landscape in the region, the PPP's role in the upcoming campaign, and potential political engagement with other parties and influential groups. Discussions also covered the distribution of party tickets and efforts to forge alliances with Kashmir-based political parties and local organizations.
Candidate List by Constituency
The PPP has nominated candidates for all 45 seats of the AJK Legislative Assembly. In Mirpur division, Afser Shahid will contest from LA-1 Mirpur-I, Qasim Majeed from LA-2 Mirpur-II (Chakswari), Yasir Sultan from LA-3 Mirpur-III (Mirpur City), and Chaudhry Sohaib Arshad from LA-4 Mirpur-IV (Khari Sharif).
For Bhimber, Chaudhry Pervaiz Ashraf has been nominated for LA-5 Bhimber-I (Barnala). In Kotli, Malik Zafar will run for LA-8 Kotli-I (Raj Mahal), Javed Iqbal Bhaddhanvi for LA-9 Kotli-II (Nikyal), Chaudhry Yasin for both LA-10 Kotli-III (Kotli) and LA-12 Kotli-V (Charhoi), and Chaudhry Akhlaq for LA-11 Kotli-IV (Sehansa).
Bagh, Poonch, and Other Divisions
In Bagh and Poonch divisions, the party has awarded tickets to Sardar Qamar Zaman for LA-16 Bagh-III, Faisal Mumtaz Rathore for LA-17 Bagh-IV (Haveli), Sardar Amjad Yousaf for LA-18 Sudhnoti-Poonch-I, Sardar Saud Sadiq for LA-19 Sudhnoti-Poonch-II (Hajira), Sardar Yaqoob for LA-20 Sudhnoti-Poonch-III (Khaigala), Sardar Muhammad Abid Khan for LA-21 Sudhnoti-Poonch-IV (Rawalakot City), and Sardar Faheem Akhtar Rabbani for LA-24 Sudhnoti-Poonch-VII (Baloch).
For Neelum Valley, Mian Abdul Waheed will contest from LA-26 Neelum Valley-II (Lower Neelum). In Muzaffarabad, Sardar Javed Ayub is nominated for LA-27 Muzaffarabad-I (Kathla), Syed Bazil Naqvi for LA-28 Muzaffarabad-II, Sardar Mukhtar Ahmed Khan for LA-29 Muzaffarabad-III (Muzaffarabad City), Mubashir Munir Awan for LA-30 Muzaffarabad-IV (Hattian Dupatta), Ashfaq Zafar for LA-32 Muzaffarabad-VI (Chikar), and Diwan Ali Chughtai for LA-33 Muzaffarabad-VII (Leepa).
Refugee and Valley Constituencies
For refugee constituencies based in Pakistan, the PPP has fielded Colonel (Retd.) Qadeer Chaudhry from LA-34 Jammu-I, Chaudhry Asif Gujjar from LA-35 Jammu-II (Gujranwala), Chaudhry Ahsan Ismail Gujjar from LA-36 Jammu-III (Sialkot), Shaheen Kausar Dar from LA-37 Jammu-IV (Narowal and Shakargarh), Raja Shahid Iqbal Advocate from LA-38 Jammu-V (Gujrat and Wazirabad), and Chaudhry Fakhar Zaman from LA-39 Jammu-VI (Jhelum, Rawalpindi and Attock).
In the valley constituencies, Aamir Abdul Ghaffar Lone will contest from LA-40 Valley-I (Karachi), Ghulam Abbas Mir from LA-41 Valley-II (Lahore), Javed Butt from LA-43 Valley-IV (Rawalpindi), Muhammad Rashid Islam Butt from LA-44 Valley-V (Rawalpindi, Islamabad and Attock), and Abdul Majeed Khan from LA-45 Valley-VI (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa).
Electoral Strategy and Preparations
With the announcement of its nominees and continued consultations with senior leaders, the PPP has intensified preparations for the 2026 AJK Legislative Assembly elections. The party aims to strengthen its organizational structure, broaden political outreach, and build alliances as electioneering gains momentum across the region.
