In a significant political development ahead of the Azad Kashmir elections, several former members of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, former ministers and influential political figures from different districts announced their decision to join the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP).
IPP President Abdul Aleem Khan welcomed the new entrants, congratulated them on joining the party and presented them with the party flag during a meeting attended by senior party leaders.
The latest wave of political defections includes former ministers and former members of the legislative assembly from Mirpur, Rawalakot, Poonch, Kotli and Bagh districts.
Former Azad Jammu and Kashmir prime minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas, former minister Nisar Ansar Abdali, Sardar Imtiaz Shaheen and Sardar Iftikhar Rashid were also present during the joining ceremony.
Ilyas introduced each of the newly joined political personalities to Abdul Aleem Khan.
Aleem Khan welcomes new party members
Abdul Aleem Khan warmly welcomed all those joining the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party and congratulated them on becoming part of the political platform.
He also presented the party flag to the new members as they formally announced their affiliation with the IPP.
Speaking on the occasion, Tanveer Ilyas said Azad Kashmir would witness real development under the leadership of Abdul Aleem Khan. He expressed confidence that the party would emerge as a strong political force in the region ahead of the upcoming elections.
Several prominent political figures announce affiliation
Among those who formally joined the IPP were Adnan Sayab Khalid from LA-5 Poonch, Chaudhry Taimur Farooq from LA-4 Mirpur and Sardar Asif Mahmood from LA-15 Bagh.
Other leaders joining the party included Rais Inqilabi, Manzoor Advocate, Raja Qamar-uz-Zaman, Saddam Naseem, Sardar Faran and Asim Hameed.
Former Bagh district council chairman, a senior PPP leader with a 47-year political career and a renowned lawyer also joined the IPP.
Bilal Rashid Advocate, Chaudhry Ali Asghar, Javed Iqbal Advocate and Sardar Tayyab were also among the political figures who met Abdul Aleem Khan.
More leaders expected to join
The political momentum continued as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, a candidate from District Kotli's LA-4 constituency, also met Abdul Aleem Khan and announced his decision to join the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party.
Meanwhile, PTI Azad Kashmir leaders Chaudhry Mahmood, Chaudhry Qaiser and Zaheer Ali also decided to join the IPP, according to the party.
The meeting was also attended by Mian Khalid Mahmood, Aun Chaudhry, Gul Asghar Baghor, Rana Nazir Ahmed Khan and Shoaib Siddiqui.
The latest round of political joinings reflects growing activity ahead of the Azad Kashmir elections, with the IPP claiming support from former lawmakers, ministers and local political leaders across several constituencies.
Party leaders indicated that more politicians from different political parties in Azad Kashmir are expected to join the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party in the coming days, potentially reshaping the electoral landscape.
