Web Desk
Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, the Speaker of the AJK Legislative Assembly, has been elected as the next prime minister in a dramatic move, ending a week-long deadlock following the disqualification of former PM Sardar Tanveer Ilyas. With no one submitting nomination papers against him, Mr. Haq received the trust of all 48 members present in the house, including 29 from the ruling PTI as well as opposition members from the PPP and PML-N.
Mr Haq remained with the PTI after the disqualification of Mr. Ilyas, to ensure its return to power in the face of maneuvers by the combined opposition. He was among the three lawmakers shortlisted by PTI chief Imran Khan, who asked the parliamentary party to build consensus on one name to become AJK premier.
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However, in a surprising development, Haq’s name emerged as a joint candidate of the combined opposition and a 12-member PTI ‘forward bloc’ on Wednesday night.
PTI regional president Ilyas said in a statement that the party had not named anyone as its candidate for the post and accused Haq of striking a deal with the establishment despite assuring PTI leadership of his efforts to save the party.
