The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has officially put forward Dr Muhammad Najeeb Naqi Khan as its candidate for the presidency of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), with the election for the region’s constitutional head set for September 24. This announcement was made by Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, who confirmed that PML-N President Nawaz Sharif has directed Dr Naqi to file his nomination papers.

The nomination follows the formal declaration of the election schedule by the AJK Election Commission. Candidates are required to submit their nomination papers between 10am and noon on September 19, with scrutiny of these nominations taking place the same day. Withdrawal of nominations is permitted until 11:30am on September 23.

Polling will be conducted at the AJK Legislative Assembly Secretariat in Muzaffarabad from 10am to 1pm on September 24, with vote counting to commence immediately thereafter. Justice Ghulam Mustafa Mughal, retired AJK Chief Election Commissioner, will act as the returning officer for the election.

This presidential election is being held to fill the vacancy created by the passing of former AJK president Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry in January. Since then, the office has been temporarily held by acting presidents: initially by then-Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar, and following August 25, by Chaudhry Tariq Farooq, who was elected speaker and assumed the additional role of acting president.

In a significant development, the PML-N emerged as the largest party in the recently constituted AJK Legislative Assembly after this year’s general elections. The party initially secured 25 general seats and bolstered its position through reserved seats and strategic alliances. Of the eight reserved seats, six were allocated to PML-N, while the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) claimed two.

The current assembly consists of 46 members, with elections for seven constituencies in Poonch and Sudhanoti still pending due to postponements amidst protests and security concerns. The PML-N and its allies currently hold 32 seats, whereas the PPP has 14.

The ruling party has already filled two key constitutional offices: Chaudhry Tariq Farooq was elected speaker on August 25, and Barrister Syed Iftikhar Ali Gilani became prime minister three days later, winning 30 votes against PPP candidate Sardar Mukhtar Ahmed Abbasi’s 14. The upcoming presidential election will complete the appointment of the three principal constitutional positions following the general election.

Dr Najeeb Naqi’s nomination is notable given that his native region, Sudhanoti, is among those with delayed elections. He has previously represented Sudhanoti in the AJK Legislative Assembly, and his selection reflects PML-N’s strategy to field a candidate with strong ties to this area.

Born in Rawalpindi on January 19, 1964, Dr Naqi hails from a politically influential family with deep roots in AJK. He received his education at Aitchison College and earned an MBBS degree from King Edward Medical College, Lahore, in 1988. His political career began in the early 1990s following the death of his father, Colonel Muhammad Naqi Khan.

Dr Naqi has served multiple terms as a member of the AJK Legislative Assembly and was a member of the AJK Council from 2001 to 2006. Throughout his career, he has held several ministerial portfolios, including health, education, information technology, finance, and planning and development. He has also served as parliamentary secretary for health and planning and development and has alternated between government and opposition roles over the years.

His contributions to Sudhanoti include advocating for its elevation to district status in 1995 and involvement in various development initiatives. As health minister, he played a role in expanding healthcare services in AJK, notably welcoming the inclusion of Sudhanoti residents in the Sehat Insaf Card programme in 2021, which provided subsidized healthcare to thousands of families.

Dr Naqi’s grandfather, Khan Muhammad Khan, was a prominent political figure in Poonch, remembered for his influence in regional politics and social affairs. His father also served as a minister in AJK.

The upcoming presidential election marks the final major constitutional process following the August general elections and the formation of the PML-N-led government. The election of Dr Naqi is expected to be supported by the PML-N majority in the assembly, solidifying the party’s control over the key constitutional offices in AJK.