Muzaffarabad: Newly-elected Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, has taken oath of office.
The oath-taking ceremony was held at the President House, where the Speaker of the AJK Assembly, Chaudhry Latif Akbar, administered the oath to the newly elected Prime Minister.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari attended the ceremony, along with Gilgit-Baltistan Governor Syed Mehdi Shah and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi.
PPP senior leader Faryal Talpur had already reached Muzaffarabad.
AJK president could not administer the oath to AJK PM being sick.
Faisal Mumtaz Rathore was elected as 16th Prime Minister of AJK after a successful no-confidence motion against Chaudhry Anwarul Haq in the Legislative Assembly.
During the voting in the AJK Assembly, 36 members voted in favour of Faisal Mumtaz while 2 opposed, making him the 16th Prime Minister of AJK and the fourth of the current assembly.
Rathore addressed the legislative assembly, calling the 'Action Committee' a reality. He said some of their demands were genuine, while others were driven by aspirations, emphasizing that his government would work to address them responsibly.
He said he alone has not taken this responsibility but all have taken this responsibility who cast vote in favor of me.
He said this impression is wrong that ruling class comes for luxuries and personal interest. The politician gives the major sacrifice.
I assure opposition I will extend cooperation to them in all matters including distribution of funds.
I pay salam to Kashmiris living across the Line of Control. Time is not far off when occupied Kashmir will be liberated.
You will feel change in the system. This will be our real success.
Secretaries will be authorized to use only one vehicle. Number of secretaries will not be more than 20. I announce to abolish the posts of senior additional secretaries and additional secretaries.
We will bring process of downsizing to grass root level. We will introduce reforms in judiciary as well.
The political development has brought an end to Anwar-ul-Haq's tenure, which concluded after members of his own cabinet supported the no-confidence motion. The new prime minister is expected to assume official responsibilities immediately after today's swearing-in ceremony.
It may be recalled that Chaudhry Anwarul Haq had been advised to resign, but he chose to face the no-confidence motion instead. Following this, the PPP submitted the motion.
The no-confidence motion was presented by Sardar Javed Ayub, Chaudhry Qasim Majeed, and others, proposing Faisal Mumtaz Rathore as the new Leader of the House.
About Action Committee he said action committee is a reality. We have to take it along side with us. Talks were held several times with action committee. Problems of the people are destined to be resolved.