ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) have formally collaborated to initiate a no-confidence motion against Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, signaling an end to ongoing political deadlock, confirmed PPP AJK Secretary-General Faisal Mumtaz Rathore on Wednesday.
As per detail, Rathore stated that both parties had signed the motion, with PML-N’s Raja Farooq Haider endorsing it on behalf of his party. He also revealed that the PPP currently commands the support of 37 assembly members, with five more pledging their backing, and that the party plans to announce its candidate for the next AJK Prime Minister within the next two days.
Sources close to the matter indicated that the PPP has finalized Chaudhry Yaseen as its preferred candidate for the premiership. The decision was reportedly ratified during a high-level meeting at Zardari House, where PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari formally endorsed Yaseen’s nomination in the presence of senior party leaders. The meeting had considered four potential candidates Chaudhry Yaseen, Chaudhry Latif Akbar, Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, and Sardar Yaqub—ultimately reaching a consensus on Yaseen.
The resolution of the deadlock was facilitated by the PML-N’s agreement to support the no-confidence motion on the condition that early elections be conducted in the region. Sources indicated that the new AJK Prime Minister would focus on filling constitutional vacancies before facilitating general elections. Following the motion’s submission, PML-N ministers are expected to resign, with the party positioning itself in opposition after the vote.
The motion requires backing from at least 27 lawmakers for a simple majority; initially, PPP claimed support from 36 members, which has now increased to 37 with the recent defection of 10 PTI lawmakers who joined PPP.
This development follows a joint press conference between PPP and PML-N, held after a meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari, where PML-N announced its support for the no-confidence move, citing a lack of trust in the current AJK government. PML-N leaders clarified that their party would sit in opposition, with senior leader Iqbal stating that if PPP secures a majority, it would form the government.
Additionally, PPP’s strength in the AJK Legislative Assembly has surged from 17 to 27 members after ten PTI lawmakers defected to the PPP during a meeting at Zardari House in Islamabad. Notable defectors included Muhammad Hussain, Chaudhry Yasir, Chaudhry Muhammad Akhlaq, and others, further consolidating PPP’s position ahead of the upcoming political shifts.
