Deadlock Ends as PPP, PML-N File No-Trust Motion in AJK

News Desk 

Islamabad: The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Wednesday formally signed a no-confidence motion against Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, ending weeks of political stalemate in the region.

PPP AJK Secretary-General Faisal Mumtaz Rathore confirmed that the motion had been signed by both parties, with former AJK premier Raja Farooq Haider representing the PML-N. “We currently have the open support of 37 members,” Rathore told Geo News, adding that five more legislators had pledged their backing for the move.

He said the name of the new AJK prime minister would be announced within the next two days.

Chaudhry Yaseen likely to be new AJK PM

According to party sources, the PPP has finalised Chaudhry Yaseen as its candidate for the prime minister’s slot. The decision was made at a meeting held at Zardari House, chaired by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and attended by senior AJK leaders.

Four names were initially under discussion — Chaudhry Yaseen, Chaudhry Latif Akbar, Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, and Sardar Yaqub — before Yaseen was unanimously chosen, the sources said.

Read More: https://thepenpk.com/they-chose-pakistan-but-at-what-price/

The breakthrough came after the PML-N agreed to support the motion on the condition that early elections would be held in AJK. The new government is expected to focus on filling pending constitutional appointments before paving the way for polls.

PML-N sources said its ministers would resign once the motion is submitted and that the party would sit on the opposition benches after the vote.

PPP strengthens position after PTI defections

The no-confidence motion requires the backing of at least 27 lawmakers for a simple majority. With the PML-N’s support, the PPP claimed to have secured 36 members initially, a number that has now grown to 37.

The PPP’s strength in the AJK Legislative Assembly increased from 17 to 27 after 10 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers defected to the party earlier this week. The PTI members announced their decision at Zardari House in the presence of PPP leaders Faryal Talpur and Chaudhry Riaz.

Those joining included Muhammad Hussain, Chaudhry Yasir, Chaudhry Muhammad Akhlaq, Chaudhry Arshad, Chaudhry Muhammad Rasheed, Zafar Iqbal Malik, Faheem Akhtar Rabbani, Abdul Majid Khan, Muhammad Akbar Ibrahim, and Asim Sharif Butt.

Read More: https://thepenpk.com/pak-ajk-evolving-relations/

The joint move follows a recent meeting of PPP and PML-N leaders with President Asif Ali Zardari, after which the PML-N publicly declared its support for the PPP’s no-confidence initiative.

PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah stated that his party had “lost confidence in the incumbent AJK government” and would support the PPP-led motion but would not join the new government. Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal reaffirmed the stance, saying, “If the PPP secures a majority, it will form the government. The PML-N will sit on the opposition benches.” Input if taken from Geo News.