The political manoeuvring in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has reached a decisive stage, with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) claiming it has secured the required numbers to form the next government.

According to sources, the PPP has achieved a simple majority in the AJK Legislative Assembly after four more members announced their support for the party, raising its total strength to 27 members.

The sources said that PPP’s in-charge of AJK affairs, Faryal Talpur, met with lawmakers Majid Khan, Asim Butt, Akbar Ibrahim, and Faheem Rabbani as part of ongoing negotiations.

Following a “power show” earlier Sunday, the path for government formation in AJK has been cleared, with a formal announcement expected within the next 24 hours.

Earlier, the PPP had claimed support from over 30 members of the assembly, asserting it could form the government without backing from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

Faryal Talpur is also hosting a dinner at Sindh House, Islamabad, at 10pm Sunday, to be attended by members of the PPP’s parliamentary party, refugee seat representatives, and lawmakers from the Barrister Sultan group.

According to insiders, the Barrister Sultan group assured Faryal Talpur of its support during a meeting at Zardari House.

The group includes five members from its own ranks and five from refugee seats, while the backing of two other members is being kept confidential.

PPP sources said that with the inclusion of both groups, the party now enjoys the support of more than 30 lawmakers and will demonstrate its numerical strength through today’s show of power.

Meanwhile, the PPP also gained support after AJK Higher Education Minister Malik Zafar Iqbal met with Faryal Talpur and announced his decision to join the party, pledging support for the formation of the new government.

It is worth noting that on Saturday, President Asif Ali Zardari gave his go-ahead to a proposed no-confidence motion against AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq during a meeting of the PPP’s parliamentary party in Azad Kashmir.