MUZAFFARABAD, March 18: The Azad Kashmir People's Party has assured Prime Minister Sardar Sikandar Hayat that it would not cash in on the crisis in the Muslim Conference, sources said on Thursday.

Sources told Dawn that the assurance was put across by PPAJK chief Barrister Sultan Mahmood at a recent meeting with a friend of Sardar Sikandar in the United Kingdom.

At the meeting, Mr Mahmood was called upon to help the premier get out of the crisis and told that he would be politically compensated at the right time, the sources claimed.

Mr Mahmood is the opposition leaders and the PPAJK has 16 lawmakers in the 48-member Legislative Assembly. "If you don't support Sardar Sikandar, Muslim Conference President Sardar Attique might become the prime minister, which could prove damaging for you," the prime minister's friend told Mr Mahmood, according to the sources.

An official also claimed that there had been a 'deal' between the two leaders. Mr Mahmood was told that "Sardar Sikandar had no plans to contest for the slot in the next election," PPAJK sources said.

"He can help you grab the position if you help him now," the sources quoted the prime minister's friend as having told the opposition leader, who had recently launched a campaign against Sardar Sikandar.