MUZAFFARABAD: A crucial vote on the no-confidence motion against Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq will take place today.
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has claimed the support of more than 35 lawmakers for its candidate, Faisal Mumtaz Rathore. If the motion succeeds, Rathore is expected to become the 16th Prime Minister of AJK and the fourth to take office during the current assembly’s term.
The AJK Legislative Assembly will convene at 3 pm in Muzaffarabad to vote on the motion, which requires a simple majority of 27 votes to pass.
Also Read: PPP nominates Faisal Rathore as Azad Kashmir PM
According to sources, the PPP has already secured the required simple majority, while the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has also decided to back the motion against Anwarul Haq.
PML-N has clarified that it will vote in favour of the no-confidence move but will not become part of the government. According to PML-N AJK President Shah Ghulam Qadir, the party intends to play the role of a strong opposition in the assembly.
The no-confidence motion against PM Anwarul Haq was submitted on Friday, 14 November, by lawmakers Chaudhry Qasim Majeed, Sardar Javed Ayub, Malik Zafar Iqbal, Ali Shan Soni, and Muhammad Rafiq Nair.
Reports indicate that Anwarul Haq was earlier advised to resign, but he refused to step down, prompting the PPP to file the motion. President Asif Ali Zardari had already approved the move to initiate a no-confidence process against the AJK premier last month.
The AJK Assembly comprises 53 members, and 27 votes are needed to elect a prime minister. On Sunday, 26 October, the PPP hosted a dinner at Sindh House in Islamabad, attended by 27 legislators.
That same day, 10 ministers belonging to the PTI forward bloc joined the PPP after meeting Faryal Talpur, giving the party a clear majority in the house.
Following the dinner, a message was conveyed to Prime Minister Anwarul Haq to resign or face a no-confidence motion.
At present, the Anwarul Haq group is left with only seven members, while the PTI holds five seats. The Muslim Conference and JKPP have one seat each.
