The political situation in Azad Kashmir has reached a critical point, as the process of forming a new government is in its final stages. It is expected that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party, will announce the final candidate for the new Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir today.
Political tensions are high as pressure mounts on the current Prime Minister, Anwar-ul-Haq, to resign. Sources indicate that if he does not step down, a no-confidence motion will be presented against him. In this effort, the Peoples Party has secured crucial support from the PML-N, which has announced it will vote in favor of the motion. However, PML-N has decided not to become part of the new government.
Currently, after one member’s resignation, the total number of members in the Azad Kashmir Assembly is 52. A majority of 27 members is required to form the government.
The Peoples Party (PPP), with its 17 members, appears to be in a very strong position. Besides the 9 members from PML-N, the PPP has also gained the support of 10 members from the Barrister Sultan Group and the Forward Bloc. This gives the PPP the clear backing of 36 members, far exceeding the 27 needed, which is more than enough to remove the current prime minister.
On the other side, Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq’s group has a total of 10 members, while PTI Azad Kashmir has 4, and the Muslim Conference and JKPP each hold one seat.
According to the rules, if this no-confidence motion fails, another such motion cannot be presented for the next six months, making the current political maneuvering extremely significant.
