PML-N's Syed Iftikhar Ali Gillani sworn in as new AJK prime minister

Muzaffarabad: PML-N barrister Syed Iftikhar Ali Gillani was sworn in as the prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir on Friday. The oath was administered in a televised ceremony. During the ceremony, the newly elected prime minister expressed gratitude to PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, and senior party leadership.

Gillani assured that he would uphold the trust and affection bestowed upon him by the party. He urged the members of the legislative assembly to work together in building an exemplary Azad Jammu and Kashmir, highlighting the region's governance issues and unemployment. He emphasized the need to provide employment opportunities to the youth, stating that addressing these issues would help resolve many tensions.

Gillani expressed confidence in the PML-N majority in the legislative assembly and their ability to utilize senior members' experience and the energy of young members. He hoped that Azad Jammu and Kashmir's prosperity and development would be used as an example across Pakistan. Gillani secured 30 out of the 44 votes cast in the assembly earlier in the day, with PPP's Sardar Mukhtar Ahmed Abbasi receiving 14 votes.

The AJK Assembly has 53 members, with PML-N holding 32 seats, including allies, and PPP holding 14 seats due to pending elections in seven constituencies. Despite opposition from PPP's Sardar Mukhtar Ahmed Abbasi, Gillani was subsequently declared the winner after the votes were counted and Speaker Chaudhry Tariq Farooq announced the result.