MUZAFFARABAD(The COW News Digital) Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, the newly elected Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), is set to take the oath of office today at the Presidential House in Muzaffarabad. The ceremony is expected to be attended by senior political figures, including Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Faryal Talpur, with the possibility of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also participating.
The oath-taking follows the successful no-confidence motion against outgoing AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq, which passed yesterday. Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, a PPP-backed candidate and member of Anwar-ul-Haq’s former cabinet, secured 36 votes in favor for the premiership, while only 2 votes were cast against him. The PPP had claimed the support of 38 members for the no-confidence motion.
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In his final address to the assembly, Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq expressed concerns over assigning sole responsibility to one individual for the challenges facing the government. “How can one person be held accountable for the destruction of constitutional and administrative structures? Are the members of his cabinet not responsible as well?” he said. He further emphasized the importance of national security, stating, “The political system will survive only if our borders are secure. Without the presence of Pakistan’s armed forces, nothing will remain.”
Addressing the assembly after his election, Faisal Mumtaz Rathore acknowledged the realities highlighted by the action committee. “Some matters are genuine, while others are aspirational,” he said, signaling his intention to balance immediate priorities with long-term goals.
The transition of power in Azad Kashmir comes at a crucial time, with political stability and governance reforms high on the agenda for the new government. Faisal Mumtaz Rathore’s leadership is expected to focus on strengthening administrative frameworks and maintaining cooperation with the federal government, while also addressing the aspirations of the local populace.
Observers note that the peaceful transfer of power demonstrates the functioning of parliamentary mechanisms in AJK and sets the stage for potential policy initiatives aimed at improving governance, infrastructure, and social development in the region.
The oath ceremony today will officially mark the beginning of Faisal Mumtaz Rathore’s tenure as AJK Prime Minister, with stakeholders watching closely for the direction his administration will take in the coming months.
