PPP-backed Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore elected new AJK Prime Minister

The no-confidence motion against Azad Kashmir Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq was passed on Monday, paving the way for PPP-backed Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore to be elected as the new prime minister.

The motion was presented during a session of the Azad Kashmir Assembly chaired by Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar. Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore secured 36 votes in favor, while only 2 votes were cast against him.

The no-confidence motion was submitted by Sardar Javed Ayub, Chaudhry Qasim Majeed, and other lawmakers.

Earlier, PPP put forward a no-confidence motion to remove the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq and elevate its regional secretary-general, Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, to the post. The resolution had been officially submitted to the AJK Legislative Assembly ahead of the scheduled vote. 

The resolution, lodged on Friday, calls the motion under Article 18(4) of the 1974 Interim Constitution and cites that Prime Minister Anwarul Haq “lost the trust” of the Assembly by allegedly damaging the constitutional and democratic framework through his governance and political narrative. 

On the same day, the Assembly’s Speaker, Chaudhry Latif Akbar, summoned the legislature to meet at 3 pm on Monday for the vote. 

The PPP claims to have already secured well above the 27 member majority required in the 52 seat Assembly. After the motion’s submission, the PPP announced it had the support of the Pakistan Muslim League‑Nawaz (PML-N), although the PML-N clarified it will back the motion but not participate in the upcoming government. 

Meanwhile, two ministers from the Pakistan Tehreek‑e‑Insaf (PTI) offered support, Education Minister Deewan Ali Chughtai and Small Industries Minister Taqdees Kausar Gillani, announced their backing to the PPP, increasing its score further. 

If the motion succeeds, the electoral procedure under the AJK constitution will automatically treat it as a vote for the nominee, Rathore, in the same resolution, paving his way to become the new Prime Minister of AJK. 

The PPP has indicated the swearing-in of the new prime minister could take place as early as Tuesday, with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto‑Zardari expected to attend. 

Meanwhile, Anwarul Haq dismissed the allegations as “childish” and “frivolous”, arguing that his record of speeches and public statements over the past two and a half years does not reflect a hostile mindset. 

The outcome of Monday’s session is now likely to determine the region’s governance course for the remainder of the assembly’s term.