• Amjad Zaidi removed via no-trust move
• Nazir Ahmed elected new speaker for remaining term

GILGIT: Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly Speaker Amjad Ali Zaidi was ousted on Wednesday through a no-confidence motion and replaced by deputy speaker Nazir Ahmed Advocate, who was elected unopposed.

Mr Zaidi of the PTI had earlier resigned after some disgruntled members of his party, which is in power in Gilgit-Baltistan, submitted the no-trust motion against him for allegedly not honouring an agreement to step down and share the remaining half term, comprising two and a half years.

However, Mr Zaidi later withdrew his resignation, which he had submitted to Governor Syed Mehdi Shah.

Wednesday’s assembly session featuring the no-confidence move was chaired by Mr Ahmed as acting speaker. A total of 22 members — including 17 from the PTI; four members from the allied parties Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen and Islami Tehreek Pakistan; and one independent member — favoured the motion. Only one member voted against it.

Lawmakers from PML-N and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl and some from the PTI remained absent from the voting, held through a secret ballot.

Later in the day, assembly members voted to elect a new speaker in a session chaired by GB Finance Minister Javed Ali Manwa.

Nazir Ahmed Advocate was elected unopposed because no other member, including anyone from the opposition, was in the race. He was later administered the oath by Mr Manwa.

Presiding over the session later in his new role, Mr Ahmed reiterated his commitment that he would run the affairs of the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly according to the law. He said it was the first time a no-confidence motion was tabled in the GB Assembly. He described the motion as a democratic process and said it was submitted accor­ding to the party policy.

He vowed to maintain the parliamentary tradition and fulfil his responsibilities to maintain the dignity of his position.

Mr Ahmed even appreciated his predecessor, Mr Zaidi, for his efforts during his tenure.

Nazir Ahmed Advocate was elected to the GB Assembly on a PTI ticket from the Ghizer district in November 2020 elections.

Mr Zaidi conceded the results. Speaking on the occasion, he said he would announce his future political strategy soon in a news conference.

GB Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid congratulated Mr Ahmed on being elected the speaker and appreciated the PTI and allied parties for showing unity in a democratic process.

He said the PTI fulfilled an important election promise by electing Mr Ahmed as a speaker and criticised the opposition parties for allegedly trying to divide the party.

Mr Khurshid said the PTI government in the region would continue to implement the manifesto of the party and its chief Imran Khan “in real sense”.

The assembly session was adjourned until June 9 (tomorrow) to elect a deputy speaker.

Published in Dawn, June 8th, 2023