MUZAFFARABAD: In a dramatic move, as many as 25 out of 32 lawmakers of ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Tuesday moved a resolution for a vote of no-confidence against Prime Minister Sardar Abdul Qayyum Niazi for his “failure to implement party’s manifesto and ensure good governance” apart from other alleged shortcomings.

“The prime minister has lost the confidence of the [PTI] parliamentary party for not implementing party’s manifesto, [resorting to] bad governance, nepotism and violation of merit, and not highlighting the Kashmir issue,” read the shoddily drafted hand-writtenresolution, which named PTI’s regional president Sardar Tanveer Ilyas as his successor to meet a constitutional requirement.

As the news broke on social media, many people assumed that the PTI lawmakers had switched loyalties, hardly 36 hours after PM Imran Khan’s removal, to overthrow his nominee in AJK, eight months after his election.

However, Khawaja Farooq Ahmed, minister for local government and rural development (LG&RD), was the first to dispel the impression on Twitter, claiming that the move enjoyed the blessing of Mr Khan.

“Let it be clear to everyone that the no-confidence resolution in AJK Assembly has been submitted on the advice of and after approval fromPTI ChairmanImran Khanto frustrate a move by PPP-PMLN nexus. We stand united under the leadership of Khan sahib,” he wrote.

In August last year, Mr Khan had taken everyone by surprise by naming Mr Niazi as head of the PTI led AJK government despite the fact the latter was nowhere among the list of the PMhopefuls.

Over the past eight months, discontent with Mr Niazi was reportedly growing in the PTI parliamentary party as many members would even avoid attending official meetings convened by him.

According to Mr Ahmed, latelyMr Khan had himself realised the inevitability of Mr Niazi’s replacement and his decision in this regard was conveyed by PTI secretary general Asad Umar to AJK Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Anwarul Haq.

Asked why the resolution was moved in a rush, he claimed that the haste was aimed at thwarting a move bythe 19-member opposition, comprising PPP and PML-N.

In a statement issued from Kashmir House, Mr Niazi strongly rejected the allegations levelled against him in the no-trust resolution as “unfounded, fabricated and a pack of lies.”

“This is a conspiracy against the PTI government in AJK and chairman Imran Khan should take its notice,” he said.

He also listed what he described as his historic achievements in a short span of time and said he had felt anguished by the allegations.

Meanwhile, the LA Speaker has summoned the assembly session on Friday to hold debate and voting on the motion. In the 53-member house the resolution requires 27 votes to come off.

Published in Dawn, April 13th, 2022