Faisal Mumtaz Rathore has been around long enough in AJK politics to know how quickly things can change and how important it is to stay grounded. He was born on 11 April 1978 in Rawalpindi, a political legacy that many would identify immediately in the region, however, he has over the years established his own niche through patience, bargain and a stable temper which has made him well known to many.
A Legacy of Politics that Runs Deep
The political upbringing is unique. His father, the late Mumtaz Hussain Rathore, was one of the faces of the AJK politics during the 1990s. He was Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, Speaker of the Assembly and several times the holder of a cabinet position. Politics became part of the daily life of the family as his mother, Begum Farhat Rathore was also an elected representative and the leader of PPP Women Wing. The Rathores can be included in the list of the first pillars of the PPP in Azad Kashmir which provided Faisal with some continuity and sense of purpose even at a young age.
He initially studied in Rawalpindi and then in Lahore at the University of the Punjab and officially entered politics in 2006 in LA-17 Haveli Kahuta. The initial political development was his election into the Legislative Assembly in 2011, since then he assumed ministerial duties within the PPP government of Chaudhry Abdul Majeed. He had an on the job experience in running departments, responding to the needs of the people, and how policy in practice operated during those years.
A Reputation Built on Calm Negotiation
When he returned to the Assembly in 2021, this time on the opposition benches, his style shifted toward firm but controlled criticism. He developed a reputation for being someone who debates without theatrics, challenges without hostility, and rarely lets disagreements turn personal. This approach ended up helping him later, when the coalition government formed under Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq in 2023. Rathore was brought in as Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, a portfolio that deals with day to day governance and service delivery. It is the kind of work where a calm, procedural mindset matters.
He was picked to lead the government’s negotiation committee with the Awami Action Committee, a role that needed patience and the ability to really listen. It’s the kind of assignment that showed he’s more interested in calming tensions than making them worse.
Within the PPP, he’s been a key figure for years. Since 2017, he’s served as Secretary General of PPP AJK, handling party organisation and strategy. People inside the party often point to him as someone both Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Faryal Talpur trust. He’s kept a steady tone even when politics around him gets heated. Hosting a show on Bol TV also gave him a chance to reach a wider audience and get more comfortable with public communication.
What stands out about Rathore is that he’s not chasing headlines. He’s soft-spoken, approachable, and generally stays clear of personal controversies that seem to follow a lot of politicians. You might agree or disagree with his politics, but most would describe him as someone who keeps things steady rather than stirring drama.
Given his mix of family background, legislative experience, and temperament, it’s no surprise many see him as a strong candidate for the next Prime Minister of AJK. He’s seen government and opposition from the inside and knows how the system works. He’s also managed to stay relevant without getting dragged into the polarized, loud style of politics that’s common these days.
In a region often marked by political tension, Rathore’s preference for dialogue and calm leadership sets him apart as a figure AJK can rely on.
In a place where political tensions can flare up quickly, Rathore stands out because he leans toward dialogue and institutional continuity. Looking at his career so far, he seems like the kind of politician who values steady progress over spectacle, which might be exactly what AJK needs in the years ahead.
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