President Zardari Consults Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Government Formation in Azad Kashmir

*ISLAMABAD:* President Asif Ali Zardari held a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss and take him into confidence over the decision regarding government formation in Azad Kashmir, sources said.

According to details, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has tasked the Pakistan Muslim League-N’s (PML-N) Azad Kashmir Affairs Committee to hold talks with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

The committee is headed by Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal, with members including Rana Sanaullah and Amir Muqam. Before engaging with the PPP, the committee has begun internal consultations with the PML-N’s Azad Kashmir leadership.

The Prime Minister formed the committee to decide whether or not to support the PPP in establishing a government in the region.

It is noteworthy that the PML-N’s parliamentary party in Azad Kashmir has already announced its decision to sit in the opposition.

Meanwhile, the PPP aims to form its own government in Azad Kashmir with PML-N’s backing. However, if the PML-N declines to cooperate, the PPP is expected to reach out to around 20 members of the forward bloc to secure the required numbers for government formation.