MUZAFFARABAD: Barrister Syed Iftikhar Ali Gillani, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate, was elected as the 17th prime minister of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly on Friday.
He secured victory over the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) contender, Sardar Mukhtar Ahmed Khan Abbasi, in the assembly election. Out of 44 votes cast from the 46 members present, Gillani received 30 votes while Abbasi managed 14.
The AJK Legislative Assembly consists of 53 seats; however, its current effective strength is 46 due to pending elections in seven constituencies located in the Poonch and Sudhnoti districts. The PML-N and its allied members hold 32 seats, whereas the PPP has 14 lawmakers.
Notably, Gillani’s election follows his recent defeat in the LA-29 Muzaffarabad-III general election to Abbasi. Despite that setback, he re-entered the assembly through a reserved technocrat seat, enabling his nomination for prime minister.
The new prime minister is expected to take the oath of office soon in a ceremony at the President House in Muzaffarabad. The election took place during a session of the AJK Legislative Assembly, where members cast their votes to select the region’s chief executive.
Meanwhile, reports indicate some internal reservations within the PML-N regarding Gillani’s nomination for the top post, highlighting political complexities within the party.
