Contrary to the wishes of party chapters concerned, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has decided not dislodge Pakistan People’s Party-led governments in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan Today has learnt.
Sources in PML-N said in categorical words that the leadership had conveyed their message to AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan that Centre would not support any un-constitutional move for dislodging the said elected governments.
Earlier, it was expected that after formation of government in Centre, the PML-N government with the support of other opposition parties would bring down the PPP-led governments in AJK and GB.
However, sources in PML-N said Nawaz Sharif told concerned party chapters not to make haste in bringing down elected governments. The sources said the PML-N leadership was of the view that in case other opposition party brought no confidence motions against the said governments, the PML-N could think over it, but so far the PML-N was not interested in overthrow governments.
Of the total 41 seats of Legislative Assembly of Azad Kashmir, PML-N holds 14. But Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry group with seven seats and Muslim Conference with five seats are in favour of tabling a no-confidence motion against the AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Abdul Majeed.
The sources said in case of a no-confidence move, four members of the PPP, who won from Kotli and Mirpur, could also support opposition parties to brining down Majeed’s government. The PML-N with the support of said parties could easily dislodge the PPP government in the AJK.
The sources said earlier it was agreed between PML-N opposition leader Raja Farooq Haider and Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry that after the accomplishment of no-confidence motion against the PPP PM, Raja would hold the prime minister’s office and Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry would be made president of AJK, replacing PPP’s Sardar Yaqoob.
While in Gilgit-Balistan, the situation is completely different form AJK. Currently, PPP Chief Minister in GB Syed Mehdi Shah enjoys support of the majority. Sources said in case the PML-N initiated any move to dislodge GB government, it could face strong resistance from the PPP, as it currently has 21 of the 33 seats in GB.
PML-N Chief Coordinator for AJK and GB Sadeequl Farooq said both PPP governments in GB and AJK had done record corruption.
He said opposition parties were fed up with the performance of PPP-led governments in AJK and GB and the people wanted to get rid of corrupt rulers.
He, however, said his party would support any unconstitutional effort to bring change.
