MUZAFFARABAD: Growing contacts between Minister for Kashmir Affairs Chaudhry Barjees Tahir and the Peoples Party-led AJK government have served to create a gulf between him and his Muslim League-N, it has been learnt.

The Azad Jammu and Kashmir chapter of ML-N has written a letter to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, asking him to replace Mr Tahir when the expected reshuffle of the federal cabinet takes place.

Sources said when the mi­­nister came to Muzaffarabad on Oct 27 to take part in the demonstration held to mark the anniversary of invasion of Indian forces into Kashmir, none of the local ML-N met him, exposing the rift between them.

“The ML-N’s AJK chapter believes that Mr Tahir has established close ties with some PPP leaders in AJK, perhaps on the basis of biradri. He is providing them funds of the AJK Council and helping them get officials of their choice appointed,” a local ML-N leader said.

When contacted, the president of the ML-N’s AJK chapter, Raja Farooq Haider, confirmed the differences.

“We have some reservations which we have brought to the notice of the central leadership of our party,” he said.

Mr Tahir could not be contacted for comments despite efforts.

Published in Dawn, October 30th , 2014