A political crisis is set to unfold in Azad Jammu and Kashmir as coalition partners are poised to table a no-confidence motion against their own Prime Minister, Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq, with the vote now anticipated on November 1.

The move, a result of escalating political maneuvering between the ruling alliance of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), has been delayed from an earlier date. The postponement allows for a crucial PPP meeting on Friday, where the party’s central leadership will finalize its strategy.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is scheduled to preside over the significant gathering, which will include members of the PPP AJK parliamentary party. Sources within the party assert they have already secured the support of more than the required number of legislators to ensure the success of the no-confidence measure.

A power-sharing formula has reportedly been settled between the PPP and PML-N to facilitate the change in leadership. In response to the impending challenge, Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq has decided to confront the no-confidence vote in the assembly rather than tendering his resignation.

High-level discussions on the matter are also expected in the federal capital. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif are slated to meet at the Presidency later today to deliberate on the political developments in AJK, with senior ministers and the PPP Chairman also likely to be in attendance.

Both coalition parties had previously concurred on implementing an in-house change within the government they jointly established. They have nominated Chaudhry Yaseen of the PPP as their joint candidate for the premier’s office.

According to insiders, Chaudhry Yaseen’s selection was confirmed during a PPP central leadership meeting chaired by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. His name was chosen from a shortlist that also included Latif Akbar, Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, and Sardar Yaqoob Khan.

Political observers have expressed surprise at the development, noting the unusual circumstance of federal coalition partners competing for control in AJK. Analysts suggest the PML-N could have requested the Prime Minister’s resignation to prevent a political confrontation, instead of opting for a formal no-confidence vote against an allied leader.

Reports indicate that the push to remove Prime Minister Haq intensified after he refused to step down and resisted what was described as federal interference in AJK’s administrative affairs, including his opposition to the deployment of Rangers in the territory.