PPP, PML-N unite to oust AJK PM; Yaseen tipped as replacement

The Pakistan Peoples Party and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz formally signed a no-confidence motion against Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, with PPP AJK Secretary-General Faisal Mumtaz Rathore confirming the move on Wednesday. He said the parties currently command open support from 37 lawmakers, while five more members have assured backing. Party leaders indicated the name of the new prime minister will be announced within two days. Sources told Geo News that the PPP has finalised Chaudhry Yaseen as its candidate for the top slot. The decision was discussed at a meeting at Zardari House where PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari met the party’s AJK leadership. Other names considered included Chaudhry Latif Akbar, Faisal Mumtaz Rathore and Sardar Yaqub, before Yaseen’s nomination was endorsed, according to the sources. The breakthrough followed days of talks between PPP and PML-N. As part of the understanding, PML-N leaders said they would support the no-trust motion on the condition that early elections are held in the region, and that they would sit on the opposition benches after the vote. PML-N ministers are expected to resign once the motion is submitted. To pass, the motion requires a simple majority of 27 lawmakers, but the PPP claims to have well over that threshold with PML-N’s support. The PPP’s strength in the AJK Assembly has recently risen from 17 to 27 after 10 PTI lawmakers switched sides. Those who joined the PPP included Muhammad Hussain, Chaudhry Yasir, Chaudhry Muhammad Akhlaq, Chaudhry Arshad, Chaudhry Muhammad Rasheed, Zafar Iqbal Malik, Faheem Akhtar Rabbani, Abdul Majid Khan, Muhammad Akbar Ibrahim and Asim Sharif Butt. PML-N leaders Rana Sanaullah and Ahsan Iqbal reiterated that while the party would back the change within the house, it would not join the new government. The incoming administration, sources said, would prioritise filling pending constitutional appointments before paving the way for general elections.