MUZAFFARABAD: Leaders of the joint opposition in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Wednesday alleged that the PPP government no longer holds a majority and warned it would resist any attempts to undermine the upcoming elections.
Speaking at a press conference at the Central Press Club, opposition leaders — including members of PML-N, PTI, and PTI dissidents — accused the government of evading constitutional accountability within the assembly.
PML-N regional president and Leader of the Opposition Shah Ghulam Qadir said a requisitioned session called by the opposition was abruptly adjourned despite quorum being met. “With business on the agenda, the sudden adjournment was incomprehensible,” he said, noting that at one point only a single minister was present to respond to questions.
The session was prorogued before attention notices and resolutions could be addressed, prompting the opposition to pass a resolution condemning the government.
Mr. Qadir alleged that the PPP had lost its majority and criticized the government for making hasty appointments and allocating discretionary posts arbitrarily, including placing political advisers in the Kashmir Liberation Cell instead of subject experts.
He warned the government that a no-confidence motion could be moved if it did not reform its practices but emphasized that the opposition would act within constitutional limits. “The government will act, and we will react,” he said, adding that the assembly’s term would not be extended “even by a single day.”
Referring to the Supreme Court’s restoration of the Third Party Act, he accused the government of continuing appointments without following due process, including tests and interviews.
Former AJK Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider criticized the current arrangement as a deviation from the original temporary setup, alleging budgetary changes were being made without assembly approval and warning that the prime minister was “walking a tightrope.”