ISLAMABAD, 20 December 2002 — Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, who has a wafer-thin majority in Parliament, will seek a mandatory vote of confidence on Dec. 30.

The official APP news agency reported yesterday that the date was decided at a meeting of Jamali’s Pakistan Muslim League Quaid-e-Azam (PML-Q) and its allied parties.

Pakistan’s constitution requires the prime minister to face a vote of confidence in the National Assembly, the lower house of Parliament, within 60 days of taking the post.

Jamali was elected prime minister on Nov. 21 on a thin majority, winning 172 votes out of 328 cast. He was sworn in as prime minister two days later by President Pervez Musharraf, who took power in a bloodless coup in October 1999.

The fragility of Jamali’s grip on power was demonstrated last month when one regional party withdrew its support for his coalition, wiping out his majority.

The party later reversed its decision after winning concessions from the central government in a domestic dispute with a rival faction.

Jamali’s position has been strengthened by the support extended by Gen. Musharraf. Musharraf told reporters at a function in Islamabad yesterday that “Jamali’s government will remain intact and no harm will come to it”. His statement reflects the powerful military’s backing for the new civilian setup.

Musharraf has also advised Jamali and his colleagues in the Parliament to avoid tussle. He gave the advice after PML-Q chief Mian Azhar met Musharraf and complained that Chaudhry Shujaat and others were conspiring against him.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Jamali, speaking to the visiting Afghan Vice President Hedayat Amin Arsala, said Pakistan will continue its support for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Afghanistan.

Both leaders discussed the regional situation and bilateral cooperation, particularly in the field of trade and investment. Jamali emphasized the need for greater economic cooperation and streamlining of Afghan transit trade.

Arsala thanked the Pakistan government for its help. He expressed satisfaction with bilateral ties and hoped these relations, especially in trade, would grow.

Arsala also told Jamali that the meeting of the Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Ministerial Commission would be held in Kabul within the next two months.