Barrister Iftikhar Gilani Elected New Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir

MUZAFFARABAD: Barrister Iftikhar Gilani has been elected as the new Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), securing 30 votes in the election held in the Legislative Assembly.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate Sardar Mukhtar received 14 votes.

Members of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supported Barrister Iftikhar Gilani in the election.

However, PML-N leaders Shah Ghulam Qadir and Raja Farooq Haider did not participate in the voting and remained firm on their earlier stance.

In the earlier elections for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, PML-N candidates had secured 32 votes each. The decline in votes for the PML-N candidate in the prime ministerial election is being viewed as significant in the context of differences within the party.

Shah Ghulam Qadir and Raja Farooq Haider maintained their decision not to vote in the prime ministerial election. Both leaders said they remained committed to their position and would announce their future course of action soon.

Following Iftikhar Gilani’s election, the PML-N’s position has become more significant in the political landscape of Azad Kashmir.

The new prime minister will face the challenge of running the government while also managing differences within the party.

Political circles are now closely watching the future strategy of Shah Ghulam Qadir and Raja Farooq Haider following the election results.