The Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) on Monday announced it will support the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in bringing a no-confidence motion against Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq but stressed it will not become part of any government that arises from this step.
Addressing a joint press conference with PPP leaders, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah said the PMLN’s parliamentary party lacks trust in the incumbent AJK government. “PMLN will support PPP in the no-confidence motion. However, we will not be part of the [new] AJK government,” he added.
Sanaullah said the PMLN would support free and fair elections in the region after the Legislative Assembly completes its tenure next year. Thanking the PMLN for its support, PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira regretted that the incumbent AJK government had “become a problem itself instead of a problem resolver.”
According to Kaira, both the PPP and PMLN respect each other’s decisions, adding they aimed to restore political stability to the region.
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, part of the PMLN’s delegation, said the PPP was welcome to form a government in AJK if it secured a majority, but reiterated that the PMLN would remain on the opposition benches.
The meeting between the PPP and PMLN followed the former securing the support of 10 members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s forward bloc, bringing its total numbers to 27. In the 52-member house, this is sufficient for a simple majority.
Separately, the incumbent AJK premier told journalists that he would not resign but if anyone has the required numbers, they should table a no-confidence motion. He said until this occurred, he would continue to perform his duties, adding he would “soon” hold a press conference and address all matters in detail.