Syed Iftikhar Ali Gillani Takes Office as AJK Prime Minister
By Editor • August 28, 2026 • 1 min read
In a decisive assembly vote, Syed Iftikhar Ali Gillani of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has been elected as the new Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), securing 30 out of 44 votes in the assembly on Friday. His opponent, Sardar Mukhtar Ahmed Abbasi from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), received 14 votes.
The AJK Assembly, which consists of 53 members, currently has 46 active members. The PML-N holds a majority with 32 seats, while the PPP has 14, following elections that have yet to be completed in seven constituencies due to security concerns. Notably, 44 votes were cast as the assembly’s speaker abstained and PML-N regional president Shah Ghulam Qadir was absent.
Speaker Chaudhry Tariq Farooq announced the results amid cheers from Gillani's supporters, marking a significant change in leadership from the previous PPP Prime Minister, who held office since November 2025. This election marks a pivotal moment for Gillani, given the prior opposition he faced from senior party figures like Qadir and former premier Raja Farooq Haider, who had initially resisted his nomination. Ultimately, Haider joined Gillani in the assembly for the vote.
The PML-N's choice of Gillani was confirmed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during a meeting with key party leaders, despite some dissent regarding the nomination process. In a statement, Qadir emphasized his commitment to maintaining the dignity of the people of Azad Kashmir.
Amid ongoing elections in the region, which have been staggered due to safety issues, the PML-N has emerged strongly, winning 25 of 38 directly contested seats thus far.
Source: www.dawn.com
