THE international system is passing through a period of pronounced instability marked by geopolitical realignments, regional conflicts and diplomatic uncertainty.
From Eastern Europe to the Middle East and from Gaza to Ukraine, long-standing assumptions are being challenged. Much of this volatility is rooted in the erosion of multilateral norms over recent years, particularly during the Trump era, when erratic policymaking weakened institutional predictability and emboldened unilateral behaviour. In such an environment, politically sensitive regions are assessed not only through security lenses but also through the strength of their democratic and constitutional frameworks. Pakistan, despite economic pressures and regional challenges, remains strategically secure. This stability is underpinned by the professionalism of its defence forces and the coherence of its defence posture. Under the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Pakistan’s military has effectively countered Indian belligerence while simultaneously contributing to the enhancement of Pakistan’s diplomatic and strategic standing at the global level. As a result, conventional military threats to Pakistan or Azad Jammu and Kashmir remain firmly contained. However, internal political uncertainty poses a far more subtle—and potentially damaging—risk.
It is within this broader national and regional context that the upcoming elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir must be viewed. These elections are not a routine political milestone; they represent a constitutional obligation and a test of democratic continuity. Yet, with only a few months remaining, uncertainty persists regarding whether elections will be held on schedule. Among the people of Azad Kashmir—particularly within academic, legal and civil society circles—concern is growing over the absence of clarity from the political leadership. The responsibility to dispel prevailing uncertainty rests squarely with the Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir. At this critical juncture, silence and delay are not neutral administrative lapses; they actively erode public confidence. The most visible manifestation of this uncertainty is the continued failure to appoint a Chief Election Commissioner. Despite the formation of a Pakistan People’s Party government several months ago, no tangible progress has been made. In any democratic system, delays in electoral arrangements inevitably raise serious questions about intent, transparency and institutional credibility.
From the perspective of Pakistan’s federal government and state institutions, political ambiguity in Azad Kashmir is not a marginal issue. The region occupies a central position in Pakistan’s constitutional narrative, security architecture and international stance on the Kashmir dispute. Any weakening of democratic norms risks undermining Pakistan’s moral authority at global forums and complicating its delicate diplomatic posture. In contrast to prevailing inertia, Pakistan Muslim League (N) Azad Kashmir has demonstrated visible organisational preparedness. For the first time in the region’s political history, party tickets were sought through a structured application process accompanied by a substantial fee. The response, exceeding 200 applicants, signals political confidence and readiness for electoral competition. Active engagement by the party leadership further reinforces this perception, irrespective of partisan preferences.
Another dimension shaping the political climate is the ongoing deadlock between the Azad Kashmir government and the Joint Awami Action Committee. The Committee emerged as a genuine reflection of public frustration over economic pressures and governance shortcomings. To its credit, the federal government responded constructively by providing subsidies, engaging in dialogue and implementing relief measures during the protest movements of September and October. The Sehat Card initiative exemplifies this commitment. Initially dependent on budgetary contributions from the Azad Kashmir government, the scheme was ultimately financed by the federal government by extending it to Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan alongside the Islamabad Capital Territory. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif deserves acknowledgment for ensuring this relief despite IMF-related fiscal constraints and broader economic challenges.
However, the continuing impasse over the Action Committee’s demand regarding migrant seats illustrates the limits of confrontation-driven politics. While the federal government proposed forming a committee to examine the issue, progress has been hindered partly by the Committee’s rigid stance. Democratic advocacy must be complemented by institutional engagement. Continued inflexibility risks creating a damaging perception that both the government and protest leadership are, intentionally or otherwise, contributing to conditions enabling electoral delay. Such perceptions resonate strongly among Azad Kashmir’s intelligentsia, including academics, journalists, lawyers and policy observers, who understand democratic continuity is not optional. Delayed elections weaken institutions, deepen political polarisation and invite speculation regarding non-democratic interventions. For a region of strategic sensitivity, this risk Pakistan cannot afford.
Timely elections are therefore not merely a political demand; they are a constitutional requirement and a national responsibility. Any deviation undermines democratic credibility and complicates Pakistan’s broader Kashmir narrative. Azad Jammu and Kashmir is not simply a territory of five million people; it is a strategic buffer, a political symbol and an ideological extension of Pakistan. Stability in South Asia is inseparable from democratic stability in region. The path forward is clear. The Azad Kashmir prime minister must expedite appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner, while sustained engagement with the Joint Awami Action Committee ensures credibility, trust and uninterrupted democratic continuity.
—The writer is a Supreme Court lawyer and former member & Chairman Standing Committee of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Council. Islamabad
