MUZAFFARABAD: Political developments in Azad Jammu and Kashmir suggest that Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq is likely to resign either tonight or tomorrow.
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has announced that it has secured a majority in the AJK Legislative Assembly following the defection of several Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) legislators, enabling it to move a no-confidence motion against the current premier. Recently, the PPP’s legislative strength increased from 17 to 27 seats after 10 PTI lawmakers switched allegiances, allowing the party, led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, to form a government independently of the PML-N, which previously supported the region’s administration.
Sources indicate that Anwarul Haq, along with his team, has completed consultations regarding his resignation, signaling that the political realignment in the region is nearing its final stage.In an informal chat with journalists, PM Anwarul Haq hinted that if opposition parties have the necessary numbers, they should proceed with a no-confidence motion. He added that he intends to continue performing his duties until officially removed and promised a detailed press conference soon.
The prime minister also expressed that no-confidence motions are a fundamental aspect of democracy and claimed that people will recognize his contributions once he departs. “I cannot destroy the house in which I was born,” he stated, indicating that he bears no regret about the situation.
Sources further revealed that cabinet members associated with Anwarul Haq’s government have indicated their support for the PPP’s proposed new leadership.
Meanwhile, the PML-N, a key coalition partner at the federal level, has decided to sit in the opposition in the region.
According to the AJK constitution, if the premier resigns, a new leader of the house must be elected within 14 days. The AJK President will then summon a session of the Legislative Assembly to conduct the vote.
It is anticipated that the assembly will elect its fourth prime minister in its current tenure. The outgoing premier can submit his resignation to the president, who is then obliged to call the assembly session for the election. If the assembly is already in session, the vote can be held immediately.
A no-confidence motion requires signatures from at least 25% of the assembly members, and those pushing for the motion must also suggest a candidate for the next leader. Any MLA can serve notice to move such a resolution, which is then circulated to the assembly and the president. If the motion fails, no new motion can be introduced for six months.
The AJK constitution also grants the prime minister the authority to dissolve the assembly at any time, provided no no-confidence motion is pending. In such cases, the president issues a dissolution order based on the prime minister’s advice, with a 48-hour window for action. If the president does not act within this period, the assembly is automatically dissolved, necessitating new elections within 90 days.
The current AJK Legislative Assembly comprises 53 members, with a simple majority requiring 27 votes to pass a no-confidence motion if the premier refuses to resign. Presently, PPP holds 17 seats, PML-N has 9, PTI has 5, while the Muslim Conference and Jammu Kashmir Peoples Party each have one seat. An additional 20-member bloc also influences the assembly’s dynamics.
