Steep challenge

A 46-year-old barrister, Syed Iftikhar Ali Gillani, has been appointed as the 17th Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) after being elected on Friday with 30 votes from his party, the PML-N. The inaugural speech he delivered highlighted the unfinished legislative assembly due to the law-and-order situation in the Poonch and Sudhnoti districts.

His campaign promise includes job creation for the youth, merit-based recruitment, transparency, anti-corruption measures, education and healthcare improvements, digitization of the economy, and the establishment of a portal to address citizens' grievances. However, his tenure is expected to be fraught with challenges, as the recent general election was marred by controversy, allegations of rigging, and violent protests that disrupted the process.

Additionally, Gillani faced strong opposition from within his own party, including the AJK chapter president and a former prime minister, and lost the Muzaffarabad-III constituency in the general election. Despite these hurdles, Gillani appears to have been chosen for his younger profile over more established leaders within the party.

With political experience dating back to 2010 and prior service in the AJK cabinet, it remains to be seen if Gillani can live up to the expectations placed on him while simultaneously addressing the concerns of those who opposed or boycotted the electoral process.