New AJK assembly to be sworn in today
Legislature to elect speaker, deputy speaker tomorrow
The first session of the newly formed Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly (AJKLA) is scheduled to take place today, Monday, following the 2026 general elections. Before members swear the oath, seven special seats will be filled through polling. These include five seats for women and two for technocrats and religious scholars.
The seat for Kashmiris living abroad has already been secured unopposed by PML-N candidate Abdul Rehman Arain. After the voting for these seats concludes and results are announced, the elected members will take their oath at 2pm.
The assembly will then elect its speaker and deputy speaker on Tuesday. The election for the AJK prime minister has been set for August 27. Currently, the PML-N holds 25 seats out of the 53-member house, with the party anticipating its strength to increase to 33 with the inclusion of its reserved-seat members and the backing of the Awam Dast-e-Bazu.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and PML-N President Nawaz Sharif engaged in discussions to determine the candidates for the upcoming AJK prime minister and speaker. The PML-N parliamentary party in AJK held its first formal meeting on Sunday to deliberate on key political and governance matters, the situation in Indian-occupied Kashmir (IIOJK), and strategies for the upcoming elections.
Attendees unanimously adopted a resolution that outlined their political priorities, promising development aligned with Nawaz Sharif's vision while upholding the Constitution, merit, and justice. The party also reaffirmed its commitment to Kashmir being part of Pakistan.
The meeting endorsed the recent electoral process in AJK, congratulating the Chief Election Commissioner and administration on their handling of the elections. They expressed support for the Pakistan armed forces' efforts against threats and welcomed Pakistan's growing international recognition. Concern was voiced over the IIOJK situation, with a call for the international community to address alleged human rights violations and war crimes.
The party rejected remarks attributed to the US ambassador on Kashmir and stressed the need to resolve the Kashmir dispute based on UN resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
Written by urgent.news from The Express Tribune - Pakistan's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
