MUZAFFARABAD, Jan 17: Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly’s deputy speaker Sardar Farooq Ahmed Tahir was voted out by the ruling coalition here on Saturday amid boycott of voting process by the opposition.

MQM’s parliamentary leader and AJK minister Mohammad Tahir Khokhar moved the no-confidence resolution against the deputy speaker, one of the 15 aides of former prime minister Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan, in the 47-member house.

Members from both sides, including Prime Minister Sardar Mohammad Yaqoob Khan and Leader of the Opposition Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan, made fiery speeches while speaking on the resolution.

Sardar Attique, whose appointment as leader of the opposition was notified by the Speaker, Mr Shah Ghulam Qadir on Friday, said: “He took a pride in being the agent of the country’s intelligence agencies whereas many people felt proud for being the 40th grade agents of foreign agencies.”

He claimed that his ouster from power was linked to a conspiracy against Kashmir.

However, the prime minister said the change in AJK had taken place out of the ill-conceived policies of his predecessor dismissing his conspiracy theory.

“Those who had denied me party ticket for July 2006 elections are finding it hard to digest my elevation to this office,” said the prime minister, in a clear reference to the leader of the opposition. He declared that he would ensure good governance in AJK in consultation with his coalition partners.

As the chair announced voting on the resolution, the opposition leader led his side to a walkout to boycott the voting process.

After all 30 members of the ruling coalition cast their votes, the chair declared the passage of the resolution by 30 votes.

In a related move, the ruling coalition fielded MQM’s Salim Butt for the vacant post of deputy speaker whereas the opposition submitted the nomination papers of Mehrun Nisa, wife of APHC leader Yousaf Nasim.

According to election schedule, nominations can be withdrawn by Sunday afternoon whereas the voting would be held on Monday in the assembly building.