Government Formation in Azad Kashmir Enters Crucial Stage; No-Confidence Motion Likely Against PM Anwar-ul-Haq

Azad Kashmir: The process of government formation in Azad Kashmir has entered a decisive phase, with the final announcement of the new Prime Minister expected today.

Sources indicate that Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will announce the party’s candidate for Prime Minister today. Chaudhry Latif Akbar and Chaudhry Yaseen are considered strong contenders.

If current Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq refuses to resign, a no-confidence motion is expected to be presented. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has already declared support for the motion.

PML-N has decided not to join the government. Following the resignation of one member, the total strength of the Azad Kashmir Assembly stands at 52 members, requiring 27 votes to form a government. PPP has 17 members, while PML-N holds 9.

Additionally, the Barrister Sultan Group and the Forward Bloc, comprising a total of 10 members, have pledged support to PPP, bringing the party’s tally to 36. This surpasses the 27 votes needed to pass a no-confidence motion.

Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq’s group has 10 members, PTI Azad Kashmir has 4, while Muslim Conference and JKPP have one seat each. The member elected on the overseas seat, Muhammad Iqbal, has already resigned. If the no-confidence motion fails, it cannot be presented again within six months.