KASHMIR NEWS
MUZAFFARABAD: Faisal Mumtaz Rathore has officially assumed the office of Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) after taking his oath during a ceremony held at the President House on Wednesday. The oath was administered by AJK Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar.
The event was attended by prominent political figures including PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Gilgit-Baltistan Governor Syed Mehdi Shah, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi.
Rathore’s elevation to the top office came a day after the AJK Legislative Assembly voted on a no-confidence motion against former Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq. Rathore secured 36 votes in the Assembly, with only two lawmakers opposing, making him the 16th Prime Minister of AJK — and the fourth to serve in the current assembly’s term.
Addressing the Assembly following his election, Rathore referred to the “Action Committee” as a legitimate movement, noting that some of its demands were justified while others reflected broader aspirations. He vowed that his government would tackle these issues responsibly.
The change in leadership effectively marks the end of Anwar-ul-Haq’s tenure, which concluded after several members of his own cabinet backed the no-confidence move. Though he had been urged to resign earlier, Anwar-ul-Haq opted to face the vote instead. The motion, put forward by Sardar Javed Ayub, Chaudhry Qasim Majeed and others, nominated Rathore as the new Leader of the House.
Following Wednesday’s swearing-in, Rathore is set to begin his official duties immediately.
Read more: https://nayakashmir.com/federal-govt-vows-full-cooperation-with-newly-formed-ajk-administration-amir-muqam/
