MUZAFFARABAD: A 19-member group of the renegade lawmakers of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legi­slative Assembly has expressed its faith in the leadership of Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, apart from throwing its weight beh­ind efforts to do away with a constitutional bar to the cabinet expansion.

A meeting of the “like-minded group” was held on Friday and attended by 18 of the 19 members, including Mr Haq, according to a statement issued by the press information department. One member, Deevan Ali Chughtai, could not show up due to the illness of his mother.

The meeting showed complete unanimity on increasing the size of the cabinet, the press release added.

The AJK Constitution allows induction of only 16 ministers and two advisers and as many special assistants.

However, since the aspirants of ministerial slots in the ruling coalition in AJK were far more than the figure allowed by the Constitution, PM Haq had been desperately striving to do away with the constitutional barrier.

‘Like-minded group’ backs move to do away with bar on size of cabinet

It is for the very reason that he had withheld the expansion of his two-member cabinet, comprising one each member from PPP and PML-N, despite the passage of more than 40 days since the inception of his government.

Early last month, Mr Haq’s efforts to repeal the constitutional provision had suffered a blow after the PML-N supreme leader Nawaz Sharif directed his seven lawmakers in AJK Assembly not to vote for any constitutional amendment.

According to the press release, the meeting also reviewed some proposals regarding the budget for upcoming fiscal year.

“Good governance is the hallmark of my government … I consider myself accountable to the people and my colleagues should also remain prepared for it,” the statement quoted Mr Haq as saying. He also stressed the implementation of development projects and the need to resolve people’s problems at their doorsteps.

He also sought suggestions from the lawmakers to allocate money for public welfare.

Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2023