PML-N's Syed Iftikhar Ali Gillani elected new AJK prime minister

Muzaffarabad: In a recent assembly election, PML-N barrister Syed Iftikhar Ali Gillani was elected as the new prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, garnering 30 votes out of 44. His only rival was PPP’s Sardar Mukhtar Ahmed Abbasi, who received 14 votes. The AJK Assembly currently consists of 46 members, with 32 from PML-N and 14 from PPP.

Despite seven seats remaining uncontested due to ongoing local elections, 44 votes were cast during the voting process. Speaker Chaudhry Tariq Farooq declared Gillani the winner, eliciting applause and cries of support from the audience. Gillani, who was previously elected to the assembly, succeeded PPP’s leader Raja Rathore, who held the position since November 2025.

The two main contenders, Gillani and Abbasi, had previously clashed over Gillani’s nomination. However, PML-N members, including regional president Shah Ghulam Qadir, ultimately supported Gillani. The decision to nominate Gillani was announced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in a meeting with four senior PML-N leaders from AJK.

Despite opposition from Qadir and Haider, who did not attend the election proceedings, Gillani emerged victorious. The PML-N’s decision to choose Gillani as their candidate was met with criticism from Qadir and Haider, who vowed not to participate in the election. Qadir later assured the people of Azad Kashmir that Nawaz Sharif’s promise to respect the vote would be upheld.