The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has nominated Faisal Mumtaz Rathore as its candidate for Prime Minister of Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK). Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, born on April 11, 1978, in Rawalpindi, comes from a prominent political family with deep roots in AJK politics.
His father has held key positions including Prime Minister, Speaker, Opposition Leader, and Senior Minister, while his household is counted among the founders of PPP in AJK, giving him strong institutional knowledge of the Kashmir cause and Pakistan–AJK relations.
Rathore is a multi-term Member of the AJK Legislative Assembly (MLA) and has served in important executive roles, including Minister for Electricity and Minister for Local Government & Rural Development, gaining extensive governance and development experience.
He has also spent a full term on the opposition benches, adding balance to his understanding of policy-making and accountability.
Since 2017, he has served as Secretary General of PPP AJK, managing party organization, strategy, and coordination, and enjoys the trust of central party leadership, including Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Faryal Talpur.
Known for his conciliatory and moderate approach, Rathore has maintained credibility across political, public, and institutional circles.
He also led the government’s negotiating committee with the Awami Action Committee, showcasing his skills in negotiation and conflict management.
Rathore’s media experience has further strengthened his public communication abilities.
With a combination of democratic family legacy, legislative and executive experience, organizational leadership, negotiation skills, and a moderate temperament, Faisal Mumtaz Rathore is positioned as a mature and consensus-oriented choice for the leadership of AJK.
