Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif has officially put forward Dr Muhammad Najeeb Naqi as the party’s candidate for the presidency of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb announced on Wednesday.

Marriyum Aurangzeb confirmed that Dr Naqi has been instructed to submit his nomination papers for the upcoming presidential election. She also extended the party’s congratulations and best wishes to Dr Naqi on his nomination.

In a significant development, the election for the AJK president is set to take place on September 24, as declared by the AJK Election Commission. The presidential office has been vacant since the passing of Barrister Sultan Mahmood in January.

Following this vacancy, Chaudhry Latif Akbar, then Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, served as acting president until Chaudhry Tariq Farooq, the current Speaker, assumed the acting presidency after his election on August 25.

During a media briefing on Tuesday, Chief Election Commissioner Justice (Retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal outlined the election schedule. Nomination papers are to be submitted to the returning officer on September 19 between 10:00 am and 12:00 noon, with scrutiny taking place the same day. Candidates may withdraw their nominations by 11:30 am on September 23.

Polling will occur at the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Secretariat on September 24 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, with vote counting and the announcement of results to follow immediately after the conclusion of voting. The president will be elected by a majority vote.

Senior Member Khawaja Muhammad Ahsan and Member Syed Nazir-ul-Hassan Gilani of the Election Commission were also present during the briefing.