Former Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas has officially joined the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) after quitting the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) AJK chapter.

According to the report, his decision was announced following a meeting with IPP President Abdul Aleem Khan and State Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Awn Choudhary.During the meeting, IPP leadership welcomed him into the party and symbolically included him by presenting him with the party muffler.

The development comes after days of internal disagreements between Sardar Tanveer Ilyas and PPP leadership regarding the allocation of election tickets for the upcoming Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections scheduled for July 27.

Sources indicated that negotiations between both sides failed mainly due to disputes over key constituencies, including Bagh Central, Pachiot, Upper Neelum, and Rawalakot City.

The disagreement over the Bagh Central seat was reported to be the major sticking point that ultimately led to his resignation from the party’s primary membership.

In a related political shift, AJK government minister Ali Shan Soni also stepped down from PPP membership, adding further pressure on the party ahead of the elections.Political observers believe these departures could weaken PPP’s position in the region at a critical electoral time.

Meanwhile, the AJK Election Commission has already confirmed that elections will be held on July 27, marking a competitive political phase in the region, with parties actively reshaping alliances and candidate lineups ahead of the polls.