Muzaffarabad: In a significant political development, the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Monday successfully passed a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas-era successor Anwarul Haq, leading to the election of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Chaudhry Faisal Mumtaz Rathore as the new prime minister of the region.
The session, presided over by Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar, witnessed PPP legislator Chaudhry Qasim Majeed formally moving the resolution. Out of 38 members present, 36 voted in favour while only two opposed the motion, officials confirmed.
Immediately after, Faisal Mumtaz Rathore was elected unopposed as the 14th Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The joint opposition comprising PPP, PML-N, and allied parties demonstrated complete unity during the proceedings.
The move follows last month’s agreement between PPP and PML-N leadership to remove the PTI-backed government over alleged failure in addressing public grievances, particularly regarding governance, flour subsidy issues, and electricity tariffs.
Speaking to reporters, PPP senior leader Qamar Zaman Kaira termed the change a step towards political stability and pledged free and fair elections in the future. PML-N’s Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal reiterated that the decision was aimed solely at ensuring better governance and resolving longstanding issues of the Kashmiri people.
The 52-member assembly (including nominated seats) now has a new PPP-led coalition government supported by PML-N and smaller allies.