Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari has approved a no-confidence motion against Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, paving the way for the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) to form its own government in the region.
The development followed a key meeting of the PPP Azad Kashmir Parliamentary Party held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr (President House) in Islamabad, jointly presided over by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and President Asif Ali Zardari.
According to PPP AJK leader Chaudhry Yasin, all parliamentary members were present at the session, which finalized the strategy for an in-house change in Azad Kashmir’s government.
“The party has decided to bring its own government in Azad Kashmir. After the meeting, Yasin told reporters that the party leadership would make the final decision regarding the next Prime Minister.
72-Hour Deadline for Political Shift
Sources confirmed that the PPP plans to table a no-confidence motion within the next 72 hours against Prime Minister Anwarul Haq. The party claims to have secured the required numbers to oust the incumbent government.
Senior PPP leaders including Sardar Tanveer Ilyas, Chaudhry Yasin, and Sardar Javed Ayub said the party has a “clear majority” in the assembly.
If the Prime Minister does not resign, we will submit the no-confidence motion.” We have the strength to form a stable government,” one participant stated.
Names Under Consideration for New Premier
Sources close to the PPP confirmed that the party is considering Chaudhry Yasin, Chaudhry Latif Akbar, and Sardar Yaqoob for the Prime Minister’s slot in the new AJK government.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will make the final announcement of the nominee and is expected to formally announce the new setup early next week.
Coalition Politics and PML-N’s Role
When asked whether the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) the PPP’s coalition partner in the federal government will join hands in Azad Kashmir, party leaders were noncommittal.
“Whether the PML-N becomes part of the in-house change or not, that’s for them to decide,” said Sardar Tanveer Ilyas, adding that the party “should have no objection” to joining the AJK cabinet given their alliance in Islamabad.
Strategic Political Shift
The move signals a major political realignment in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, where the PPP now stands as the largest party. Analysts say the no-confidence motion approved by President Zardari and backed by Bilawal’s leadership is aimed at consolidating the PPP’s foothold in the region amid shifting coalition dynamics nationwide.
