PML-N’s Barrister Iftikhar Gilani has been elected the 17th prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. He secured 30 votes in the AJK Legislative Assembly during voting held in Muzaffarabad on Friday.
The Speaker of the AJK Legislative Assembly announced the results after the completion of voting for the leader of the house. Gilani emerged victorious against Pakistan Peoples Party candidate Sardar Mukhtar Ahmed Khan.
According to the announced results, Sardar Mukhtar Ahmed Khan received 14 votes. A total of 44 members present in the assembly took part in the voting, excluding the Speaker, while PML-N leader Shah Ghulam Qadir did not attend the session.
The election has brought Iftikhar Gilani to the top executive position in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. His selection comes after he entered the legislative assembly on a PML-N ticket through a technocrat seat in the recent elections.
Gilani has previous experience in AJK politics and legislative affairs. He was first elected to the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly in 2011, beginning his parliamentary career more than a decade ago.
During his political career, Iftikhar Gilani also served as the education minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. His earlier experience in government and the assembly is expected to shape his approach as he takes charge of the regional government.
The election marks another important development in the political landscape of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. With Iftikhar Gilani now serving as prime minister, attention is expected to focus on his government’s priorities, administrative performance and development agenda in the territory.
