Politicking in overdrive as AJK PM's fate hangs by a thread

MUZAFFARABAD:

The leadership of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Tuesday signed the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq in the presence of Pakistan People's Party (PPP) lawmakers.

PML-N AJK President Shah Ghulam Qadir and senior party leader Raja Farooq Haider signed the motion at Kashmir House in Islamabad. PPP leaders Chaudhry Riaz and Faisal Mumtaz Rathore were also present on the occasion.

The signing of the motion paves the way for its formal submission in the AJK Legislative Assembly Secretariat within the next 24 to 48 hours, according to multiple sources from various political parties.

The move follows a late-night meeting at the Presidency, chaired by President Asif Ali Zardari and attended by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, PML-N leaders Ahsan Iqbal, Shah Ghulam Qadir, Amir Muqam, Rana Sanaullah, Qamar Zaman Kaira, and PPP's AJK President Chaudhry Yaseen.

During the meeting, sources said, the PML-N agreed to support the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Haq but decided not to vote for the PPP's nominee for the next prime minister. The party leadership clarified that it would instead sit on the opposition benches.

"We are going to sit in opposition to contest the July 2026 elections against the PPP," PML-N AJK President Shah Ghulam Qadir said. "Sharing power or voting for a PPP prime minister would be counterproductive for us in the coming polls." He emphasised that the PML-N's cooperation with the PPP was limited solely to removing Haq from office.

With the PML-N's backing, the PPP's strength in the 52-member AJK Legislative Assembly has reportedly increased from 27 to 36, with sources claiming that the tally could cross 40 — more than enough to ensure the success of the no-confidence motion.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Haq spent Monday and Tuesday at his residence, signing dozens of development-related notifications across various government departments. He appeared composed while meeting officials in the lush green courtyard of his residence.

Haq, however, categorically ruled out resigning from office, vowing instead to face the no-confidence motion. Without naming any party, he said, "Whoever has the support of 27 members in the Assembly should come forward and submit the motion."