PML-N’s Iftikhar Gilani becomes AJK premier

Muzaffarabad: PML-N's Barrister Syed Iftikhar Ali Gillani was elected as the new prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, garnering 30 out of the 44 votes cast. He outperformed PPP's candidate Sardar Mukhtar Ahmed Abbasi, who collected 14 votes. The AJK Assembly consists of 53 members; however, it currently stands at 46 due to the pending elections for seven seats in Poonch and Sudhnoti districts.

In Friday's vote, 44 ballots were cast as the speaker abstained and PML-N regional president Shah Ghulam Qadir failed to attend. The PML-N currently holds 32 seats in the assembly, including those from allied parties, while the PPP possesses 14 seats. The elections, initially planned for July 27, were conducted in phases due to security concerns amidst unrest in the region.

The first phase took place on July 27, the second on August 2, and the third on August 10. The third phase was scheduled to encompass all 11 constituencies in Poonch Division, including three in Bagh, one in Haveli, five in Poonch district, and two in Sudhnoti district. However, the AJK Election Commission decided to proceed with polling in Bagh and Haveli alone due to apprehensions regarding the law and order situation.

To date, the PML-N has secured 25 seats in the direct elections to 38 constituencies, while the PPP has won 12. The sole MLA-elect from the Awami Dast-o-Bazu party has also aligned with the PML-N. Regarding reserved seats, the PML-N has won six, and the PPP has earned two. The PPP has accused the electoral process of being marred by widespread rigging and irregularities.