MUZAFFARABAD – Despite ongoing efforts to unseat Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, several ministers from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) continue to serve in his cabinet, highlighting a complex and paradoxical political situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
The PPP and PML-N had previously decided to withdraw from the coalition government ahead of upcoming general elections, with both parties seeking approval from their respective leaderships to move forward. The PML-N eventually agreed to support the PPP in forming a new government but declined to claim any positions in the prospective setup.
Meanwhile, a series of meetings of PPP legislators and senior leaders were held in Karachi and Islamabad to chalk out a strategy.https://t.co/75nlhjS37h
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) November 5, 2025
In meetings held in Karachi and Islamabad, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari directed his party to replace the incumbent premier with a loyalist. Under Article 18 of the AJK Constitution, a no-confidence resolution requires at least 14 legislators and must include the proposed successor’s name. With backing from ten PTI dissidents forming a ‘forward bloc,’ the PPP secured the minimum 27 votes necessary to topple the government.
However, nearly three weeks later, the PPP has yet to finalize its candidate for the premiership, delaying the formal tabling of the motion. In the meantime, ministers leading the revolt remain in office, continuing to enjoy official perks and privileges, including transport and access to state resources. Some ‘forward bloc’ members who announced resignations from the cabinet have not had them accepted by the prime minister.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Haq has stationed himself in Muzaffarabad for the past 12 days, approving pending administrative files and sanctioning development schemes worth billions of rupees. Observers say the delay in tabling the motion gives the embattled premier additional time to manage administrative and political affairs.
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PML-N Secretary General Chaudhry Tariq Farooq criticized the continued participation of ministers supporting the no-confidence motion, calling it “astonishing” that official resources are still being used while the political crisis persists. PPP Law Minister Mian Abdul Waheed defended their actions, stating that the use of official facilities remains legally permissible until the resolution is formally presented.
The ongoing situation has left the people of AJK expressing surprise and concern over the protracted political impasse and the apparent contradictions within the ruling and opposition ranks.
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