ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has reportedly initiated backchannel contacts with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in an effort to bring the latter into the government in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), according to sources.


Sources claimed that the PML-N offered the PPP a share in the AJK government, including the offices of the AJK president and deputy speaker.


According to PPP sources, the PML-N also contacted a senior PPP leader from Punjab, who subsequently conveyed the party’s message to the PPP leadership.


However, the PPP leadership rejected the offer and decided that the party would not become part of the AJK government, sources said.


The PPP has instead decided to sit on the opposition benches in the AJK Legislative Assembly and field candidates for the offices of prime minister, speaker and deputy speaker, according to the sources.


The sources said that any talks with the PML-N would be conditional on holding re-elections in disputed constituencies. They said the PPP would not engage in negotiations until re-polling was held in the constituencies it considers controversial.


According to PPP sources, the PML-N had agreed during talks in Muzaffarabad to implement certain points, including assurances regarding re-polling in two constituencies of Mirpur, but those commitments were allegedly not honoured.


The PPP has alleged large-scale rigging in six AJK constituencies and is demanding re-elections in four constituencies in the Mirpur division and two in Muzaffarabad.


The sources said the PPP would adopt a strong opposition role and give the PML-N a tough time in the AJK legislature if the disputed constituencies were not subjected to re-polling.