ISLAMABAD: Despite securing the support of 36 members of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Assembly, the no-confidence motion could not be submitted on Wednesday, nor did the central leadership of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) announce its candidate for the prime minister, leaving members from both the PPP and Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) concerned.
The motion was delayed as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was abroad on an official visit to KSA. But he has now returned and President Asif Ali Zardari is expected to consult with him before the no-confidence motion is formally submitted.
Following a meeting at the Presidency, the leadership of PPP and PMLN had instructed their AJK assembly members to remain on standby, as the motion could be presented at any time. However, despite the lapse of three days and having achieved the support of 36 members—more than the required number—the no-confidence motion is yet to be tabled, and a new leader of the house has not been announced.
On the other hand, in a reported move to secure the loyalty of his supporters, incumbent Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq has approved development projects worth billions of rupees from the treasury over the past three days.
The leadership of PPP and PMLN has expressed strong reservations over Prime Minister Anwarul Haq’s distribution of funds, stating that he has lost the confidence of the majority and can no longer morally exercise the powers of his office. According to sources, the central leadership of the PPP has asked the federal government to instruct relevant government officers to refuse to comply with what they term as Anwarul Haq’s “illegal orders.” Meanwhile, the top leadership of the Pakistan Peoples Party has so far kept its choice for the position of prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) under wraps, leaving party ranks guessing about who will eventually be nominated. Party sources told The News that the name for the top position has not yet been finalised as last-minute consultations continue within the party’s central leadership. Sources said the discussion on who will be the party nominee for the position of AJK prime minister has entered a crucial phase as the PPP is likely to hold a meeting of its AJK parliamentary party on October 31 at Zardari House, Islamabad, chaired by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari. The final decision, sources added, is expected to be announced shortly before the submission of the no-confidence motion against the incumbent AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq.
Sources said another reason for delaying the announcement of the nominee for the top position of AJK prime minister was that the PPP is waiting for the incumbent AJK prime minister to resign. According to sources, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will formally announce the party’s nominee for the coveted post. The PPP has shortlisted four potential candidates for the position -- President of PPP AJK Chaudhry Yasin, Speaker of the AJK Legislative Assembly Chaudhry Latif Akbar, Secretary General of PPP AJK Faisal Rathore, and former AJK prime minister Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob. Sources said that Chaudhry Yasin and Chaudhry Latif Akbar are strong candidates in the race for the top position of AJK prime minister.
Sources further disclosed that while the signatures for the no-confidence motion have already been secured, the name of PPP nominee has been deliberately left blank. It will be filled in only after Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s formal announcement, expected to come moments before the motion’s submission.
