Who is Faisal Mumtaz Rathore? PPP Announces AJK PM Nominee

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has nominated Faisal Mumtaz Rathore as the new Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). The decision comes as the party prepares to bring a no-confidence motion in the AJK Legislative Assembly.

PPP leader and former Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf announced that the party had completed consultations and decided to field Faisal Mumtaz Rathore as its candidate.

He said PPP always takes decisions through consensus and added that Azad Kashmir holds a special place in the heart of the party.

Raja Pervaiz Ashraf confirmed that the party will submit a no-confidence motion in the AJK Assembly soon.
He expressed confidence that the PPP will form the next government in Azad Kashmir.

PPP sources say the motion will be submitted with the support of coalition partners.

Who is Faisal Mumtaz Rathore?

Faisal Mumtaz Rathore is a senior leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
He belongs to a respected political family from AJK and has been active in the region’s politics for many years.

Key details about him:

• Political Background:
  He has served in different political roles within the PPP’s AJK chapter.

• Strong Party Position:
  Rathore is considered close to the PPP leadership and has been influential in strengthening the party’s position in Azad Kashmir.

• Reputation:
  Known for his calm personality and organizational skills, he has maintained good relations with party workers and local communities.

• Experience:
  He has previously held responsibilities related to administrative and legislative matters inside AJK’s political system.

Why Mr Faisal Mumtaz Rathore is most suitable candidate for next Prime Minister of AJK?

• Comes from a political family with deep roots in AJK politics, including roles held by his father as prime minister, speaker, opposition leader and senior minister.
• Belongs to a household counted among the founders of the Pakistan Peoples Party in Azad Jammu & Kashmir, giving him strong institutional memory of the Kashmir cause and the Pakistan–AJK relationship.
• Elected multiple times as a Member of the AJK Legislative Assembly, reflecting consistent public acceptance and electoral experience.
• Has served in key executive roles, including Minister for Electricity and Minister for Local Government & Rural Development, providing hands-on experience in governance, service delivery and development.
• Has also served a full phase on the opposition benches, which adds balance in understanding both policy-making and accountability.
• Serving as Secretary General of PPP AJK since 2017, responsible for organisation, coordination and party strategy at the regional level.
• Enjoys a high level of trust from central party leadership, including Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Faryal Talpur, and is seen as a representative of the party’s ideological and middle-class base.
• Known for a conciliatory, soft-spoken and non-controversial style, which has helped him maintain credibility and acceptability across political, public and institutional circles.
• Appointed as head of the government’s negotiating committee with the Awami Action Committee, indicating confidence in his negotiation and conflictmanagement skills.