The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has moved to bring a no-confidence motion against Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq and initiated efforts to form a new government. The decision was taken in a meeting chaired by PPP Co-Chairperson Asif Ali Zardari.
For government formation in AJK’s Legislative Assembly, a party or coalition requires the support of at least 27 members. At present, PPP holds 17 seats in the House, while the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has 9 members, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has 4, and the Muslim Conference and Jammu Kashmir Peoples Party have one member each. A forward bloc consisting of 20 lawmakers is also present in the Assembly.
Asif Ali Zardari has contacted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif regarding the new political arrangement. In response, the Prime Minister has tasked the PML-N AJK Affairs Committee with holding negotiations with PPP.
If PML-N extends support, the PPP’s strength would rise to 26 members—still one short of the required majority. However, PML-N AJK President Shah Ghulam Qadir has already announced that the party will sit in the opposition.
Former AJK Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider has also stated that PML-N will not be part of any new government and will retain its opposition position.
Political observers say that if PML-N maintains distance, the forward bloc could prove decisive. Sources indicate PPP leaders have intensified contacts with the bloc to secure the required numbers.
Consultations within PPP on strategy are ongoing, and sources suggest significant political developments may occur in the coming days. However, PPP has not yet publicly demonstrated that it has secured the necessary majority to form the government.
