PML-N excludes refugee seat MLAs from cabinet

Party supremo Nawaz Sharif finalises AJK govt formation policy

ISLAMABAD:

The PML-N has made key decisions regarding the formation of the next government in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) after securing a simple majority in the recent elections, including a decision not to include lawmakers elected on refugee seats in the cabinet.

According to party sources, PML-N President Nawaz Sharif has finalised the party's policy for government formation following the party's electoral victory in the AJK.

Party leaders reportedly advised Nawaz that appointing refugee seat legislators as ministers would place an additional financial burden on the AJK exchequer. The sources said the party later decided not to induct such MLAs in the cabinet.

The party's policy on the selection of the next prime minister was also conveyed to senior PML-N leaders in the AJK during recent meetings. Following these consultations, senior PML-N leaders in AJK have begun lobbying for the office of prime minister.

Sources said the new AJK government would have a small cabinet, adding that the party had taken a principled decision to include only senior and experienced newly elected members of the Legislative Assembly in the cabinet.

The AJK has been facing massive protests for the last few months. The protesters, led by the outlawed Joint Awami Action Committee (Jaac), demand the abolition of refugee seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly.