MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): The in-house change (a no-confidence motion against the current government) in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has faced delays primarily due to internal disagreements within the Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) over the nomination of a new Prime Minister, and because the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has demanded an assurance of early elections in the state.
The PPP is yet to submit a no-confidence motion against the incumbent prime minister Chaudhry Anwar ul Haq.
Despite claiming a numerical majority, the PPP has struggled to start a process for the same. Sources indicate that the decision to move the no-confidence motion is expected only after PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari returns to the country.
The delay is also reportedly linked to the PML-N’s demand for early elections, which would prevent the PPP from gaining political advantage after they form a government in the state.
The current assembly’s term ends in July next year and two months before general elections, all development work is halted, and the authority over appointments and transfers is revoked.
Sources said the PML-N is firm on holding elections in March, meaning thereby a new government would lose powers by January, two months before the vote.
The PPP feels that it couldn’t find enough time before the elections is called, to gain political advantage of forming the government and the party’s insistence on completing the assembly’s full term is reportedly a key reason behind the deadlock.
Bilawal has claimed that the party is in a strong position to form the government in AJK, as the sitting prime minister faces a no-confidence motion.
PTI forward bloc in AJK
On October 26, 10 members of the PTI’s forward bloc in AJK announced their support for the PPP, enabling the party to gain the required majority.
A day later, the PPP and PML-N agreed to move a no-confidence motion against the AJK government. However, in a later surprise move, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf announced that it would disassociate itself from the opposition alliance’s no-confidence motion against the AJK PM and the subsequent process to elect a new premier, terming the move a “political game” aimed at undermining public representation.
