MUZAFFARABAD (MNN); The no-confidence motion against Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq succeeded on Monday, with 36 members of the Legislative Assembly voting in favour and only two against.
Following the vote, the Assembly elected PPP’s Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore as the new prime minister under the AJK Constitution, which automatically treats a no-trust vote as support for the proposed successor.
Among the 29 PPP members, the Speaker could not cast his vote, while one PML-N female member abstained. Two PTI lawmakers — Sardar Abdul Qayyum Niazi and Khawaja Farooq Ahmed — voted against the motion. Three PTI legislators did not attend the session, and several other members from various parties abstained, including from the Muslim Conference, JKPP, and the PTI forward bloc.
After delivering a brief speech, outgoing prime minister Anwarul Haq left the Assembly along with his four loyalists.
Announcing the result, AJK Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar confirmed Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore as the new prime minister, making him the 16th leader to hold this office since the introduction of parliamentary governance in 1975.
In his address to the Assembly, Rathore pledged comprehensive administrative reforms, financial discipline and renewed political engagement. He emphasised that his government aimed to deliver meaningful results within the next six to seven months. He recalled his political roots, stating that his mandate belonged to every member who supported him.
Rathore noted that although the outgoing prime minister welcomed him respectfully, his governance style had often been reactive, especially during crises like the JAAC protests that resulted in deaths.
Rathore acknowledged mistakes on all sides and stressed that many JAAC demands were legitimate. He vowed to continue dialogue with the committee and resolve public issues within available resources.
Announcing several major administrative changes, the new prime minister said each departmental secretary would be allowed only one official vehicle and that only 20 secretary-level posts would remain.
The posts of special secretary and senior additional secretary would be abolished. He also announced reforms in the Education Department, third-party hiring for new posts, a revised transport policy placing all surplus government vehicles in a central pool, and new measures ensuring equal employment opportunities for women. Additionally, he approved an extra month’s salary for grade-1 employees and upgraded drivers’ posts to grade-5.
Rathore reaffirmed AJK’s unwavering support for the people of occupied Kashmir.
Earlier, outgoing PM Haq told the House he was leaving “with a contented heart” and held no grievances. He promised a constructive opposition role but warned of strong protests if the new government ignored public aspirations.
PTI’s Sardar Abdul Qayyum Niazi criticised Haq’s tenure, accusing him of undermining the Assembly and institutions. He denounced PTI forward bloc members for voting in favour of the motion and warned of legal action against them for violating the mandate.
The no-confidence motion had been submitted on Friday, signed by 25 lawmakers — 23 from the PPP and two from PML-N. The PPP had already secured support exceeding the required number, making Haq’s removal almost certain. Recent political shifts, including multiple PTI members joining the PPP, further strengthened the party’s position.
With nearly six months left in the Assembly’s term, Rathore becomes the fourth AJK prime minister in four years, following rapid leadership changes since 2021.
