Five PTI-AJK ministers defect to PPP

Web Desk: Five ministers from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) forward bloc in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) have announced their decision to join the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

The five PTI ministers met with Faryal Talpur and Chaudhry Riaz, during which they formally announced their inclusion in the PPP.

As a result, the strength of the PPP’s parliamentary group in the AJK Legislative Assembly has now risen to 22 members.

It is worth recalling that just a day earlier, President Asif Ali Zardari had approved a motion of no confidence and authorised the formation of a new government in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

To form a government in the AJK Legislative Assembly, the PPP requires the support of 27 members. The party previously held 17 seats, which has now increased to 22 following the inclusion of the five forward bloc members.

At present, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) holds nine seats in the assembly but has announced that it will not be part of the new government formation.