MUZAFFARABAD: Prime Minister Azad Jammu and Kashmir Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq has failed to maintain his majority in the assembly.
Out of 52-member house, 35 members of Legislative Assembly have parted ways with him. Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) is actively engaged in political maneuvering to secure the position of prime minister. Five members from Barrister Sultan Group and four of forward bloc have also expressed confidence in PPP.
In Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, excluding Prime Minister, total number of members currently stands at 52. PPP has 17 members in the house. With the support of five members from Barrister Group and four from forward bloc, PPP’s total has risen to 26.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) has nine members in the assembly. The party has decided to withdraw from current government, not to participate in any future coalition, and to sit in the opposition. As a result, 35 members, who were part of Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq’s coalition government, have defected.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) remains the only opposition party in Azad Kashmir, with five members in the assembly.In the event of a no-confidence motion, 27 votes are required to elect a new prime minister. However, before the motion is formally submitted, current prime minister still holds the option to dissolve the assembly.More members from forward bloc and women elected on reserved seats are expected to join PPP, and it is anticipated within next few hours, PPP will secure required majority.
