A like-minded group of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) chapter has announced tabling a no-confidence motion against the speaker of the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly today, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Tuesday.
“The no-confidence motion against Speaker Syed Amjad Zaidi will be tabled today,” said the like-minded group comprising the deputy speaker too.
According to reports three days ago, in anticipation of a possible vote of no-confidence or disqualification, Gilgit Baltistan Chief Minister Muhammad Khalid Khurshid, who is facing allegations of fake degree, had appointed 14 new coordinators.
The move was seen as an attempt to galvanize CM’s support base and strengthen his position. In addition to the 14 coordinators, the Chief Minister’s cabinet already comprised of 12 ministers, two advisers, and five special assistants.
According to the notification, the Chief Minister had appointed 14 new coordinators. The newly appointed coordinators included Ashraf Hussain and Hussain from Bara District in Ghanche, Syed Mehdi Shah from Skardu District, Abdul Khaliq from Ghanche, Muhamad Adeel Ram from Shigar District, Ghulam Haider from Skardu District, Sajida Sadaqat from Astore District, Raja Shehbaz Khan from Hunza District, Manzoor Hussain from Gilgit District, Sarwar Shah from Diamer District, Kalbe Ali from Nagar District, Muhammad Yousuf from Skardu District, Atique Peerzada from Gilgit District, Muzamil Hassan from Skardu District and Sana Ullah Khuram from Astore District.
These coordinators will serve at the pleasure of the Chief Minister and will receive a fixed monthly salary of Rs150,000. The addition of these 14 coordinators brings the total number of public officeholders in the Chief Minister’s team to over 45.
It is worth noting that there were already 10 coordinators, including two media coordinators, representing the Chief Minister in Islamabad. The GB government had previously amended the rules of business to allow for the creation of these 10 coordinator positions.
Reporter: Mehtab-ur-Rehman