AJK PM-elect Faisal Rathor vows to serve people

MUZAFFARABAD: Newly elected Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore has said that he carries a heavy responsibility today and, as a political worker, he will live up to the party’s trust.

In his first address after being elected as the 16th prime minister of AJK, he said that this journey is not one of flowers but of thorns. He acknowledged the reality of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) of Azad Jammu and Kahmir, saying it must be recognised.

He announced plans to form a 20-member cabinet for the welfare and service of the people and pledged to work day and night for their betterment.

“We will go to the last limit for the rights of the people. Today, a government of the people has been established. The doors of the Prime Minister House are open to the public, and we will address their issues at their doorstep,” he said.

He assured that the ministers would always be available to the public. He said that the political leadership had weakened, which poses a major challenge, but he will strive to serve the people over the next six to seven months.

Rathore also mentioned that he has been negotiating with the JAAC in Muzaffarabad. He said that every secretary will be allowed to have one official vehicle.

The newly elected prime minister announced that the number of secretaries will be limited to 20, and the positions of special and senior secretary have been abolished.

Rathor said that driver positions will be upgraded to Grade 5, and Grade 1 employees will receive one month’s additional salary.

Earlier, a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq succeeded as Faisal Rathore was elected the new leader of the house in the AJK Legislative Assembly.

The session, chaired by Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar, saw members vote on the motion.

The motion was moved by Sardar Javed Ayub, Chaudhry Qasim Majeed, and others, with Faisal Mumtaz Rathore nominated as the alternative leader of the house.

During voting, Rathore secured 36 votes, while only two were cast against him. A simple majority of 27 votes was required for the motion to pass.

The resolution seeking a vote of no confidence against Anwarul Haq was submitted to the Assembly Secretariat on Friday afternoon. The motion carries the signatures of 25 lawmakers — 23 from the PPP and two from the PML-N.