Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Tuesday to discuss the country’s overall political situation, with a particular focus on Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). The meeting comes less than two weeks before AJK’s general elections scheduled for July 27. The discussions highlighted growing political activity in the region ahead of the closely watched vote.
According to the Pakistan Peoples Party, the two leaders met at Aiwan-i-Sadr and reviewed national developments as well as matters related to AJK. The meeting took place amid heightened political engagement by major parties seeking to strengthen their positions before the upcoming elections. Both leaders also exchanged views on issues affecting the region and the broader political landscape.
Read more: Bilawal, Dar take stock of latest situation in AJK and GB
The talks followed a previous meeting between Dar and Bilawal last week, during which they discussed the situation in AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan. On that occasion, both leaders agreed on the importance of ensuring free, fair, and transparent elections in AJK. The latest consultation reflects continued coordination between the coalition partners on key political matters.
اسلام آباد: پاکستان پیپلزپارٹی کے چیئرمین بلاول بھٹو زرداری سے نائب وزیراعظم اور وزیرخارجہ اسحاق ڈار نے ایوان صدر میں ملاقات کی، اس موقع پر ملک کی مجموعی صورت حال سمیت آزاد جموں و کشمیر کے امور پر تبادلہ خیال ہوا۔@BBhuttoZardari pic.twitter.com/aZ1YmwxLZ8
— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) July 14, 2026
Political activity in AJK has intensified in recent weeks. Last month, Bilawal and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman announced that their parties would jointly contest the AJK general elections. The alliance is expected to play a significant role in shaping the electoral contest across the region.
Read more: Bilawal calls for dialogue to resolve AJK political crisis, meeting
Meanwhile, the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee has called for widespread protests demanding the abolition of 12 reserved seats ahead of the elections. The developments come after the PPP formed a government in Gilgit-Baltistan with the support of the PML-N last month, mirroring the coalition arrangement at the federal level.