PML-N's Dr Najeeb Naqi takes oath as AJK president after his election

Muzaffarabad: Dr Najeeb Naqi, representing the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (N), was sworn in as the President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday following his election. The oath ceremony took place at the Presidential House in Muzaffarabad, with Chief Justice Raja Saeed Akram administering the oath. Dr Naqi amassed 32 votes during the election held at the AJK Legislative Assembly's Secretariat, while PPP's Chaudhry Latif Akbar received 13 votes.

Polling commenced at 11 am and concluded at 1 pm. The Constitution of AJK stipulates that the President is elected by the members of the Legislative Assembly with a majority of the 45 total members. Naqi has previously served as the Health Minister of AJK and has also held the positions of Education and Information Technology Minister.

He had planned to participate in the 2026 polls, but elections in seven constituencies of Poonch division, including his own, were postponed due to law and order concerns in the area. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended his congratulations to Dr Naqi on his victory, expressing his hope that he would effectively fulfill his responsibilities and contribute to the development, prosperity, and welfare of the people of AJK.

The federal government also pledged its full cooperation to AJK. Following the announcement of the results during the legislative assembly session on Thursday, the Leader of the Opposition, Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin, was the first to congratulate Dr Naqi. However, he reiterated allegations that the recent elections had been rigged and expressed concern that the new government would be making decisions based on "political vengeance."

Former Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider refuted Yasin's claims, while Speaker Chaudhry Tariq Farooq suggested that the allegations should be addressed later, urging the focus to be on the presidential election. Leader of the House and Prime Minister Iftikhar Gillani congratulated Dr Naqi, his party's central leadership, and the people of Poonch, describing Naqi as a "noble person" and emphasizing that his election brought a "breeze of fresh air" to the region.

Gillani called for strengthening the legislature and assured the opposition that their due share and role in governance would never be undermined.