The Pakistan Peoples Party and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) have formally signed a no-confidence motion against Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, marking an end to the political deadlock, PPP AJK Secretary-General Faisal Mumtaz Rathore said on Wednesday.
Speaking to a private TV news channel, Rathore said that the no-confidence motion had been signed by both parties, with PML-N’s Raja Farooq Haider putting his signature on behalf of his party.
“We currently have the open support of 37 members,” he said, adding that five additional assembly members have assured their backing for the motion.
Earlier, it was reported that the deadlock between the PPP and PML-N over the no-confidence motion had finally ended. Sources said the PML-N agreed to support the move on the condition that early elections would be held in the region.
The PML-N sources added that its ministers would resign after the motion is submitted and that the party would sit on the opposition benches following the vote.
The no-confidence motion requires the backing of 27 lawmakers for a simple majority, but with PML-N’s support, the PPP claimed to have secured 36 members initially, a number that has since risen to 37, according to sources.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that PPP has finalised Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin as its nominee for the position of prime minister of AJK.
According to party sources, the central leadership has given formal approval for Yasin’s appointment, with the decision announced during a meeting chaired by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. The meeting was attended by senior leaders of the PPP’s AJK chapter.
The development comes two days after both parties held a joint press conference following a meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari, with PML-N announcing to support the PPP for bringing a no-confidence motion against the AJK premier.