Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) nominee Dr Najeeb Naqi has been elected president of Azad Jammu and Kashmir after securing 32 votes in Thursday’s presidential election. He defeated Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate Chaudhry Latif Akbar, who received 13 votes.
The election for Dr Najeeb Naqi AJK president was held at the AJK Legislative Assembly in Muzaffarabad. Polling continued until 1pm, followed by the counting of votes. Naqi secured the required majority to take charge of the constitutional office.
Dr Najeeb Naqi has been elected for a five-year term. His election fills the presidential position that had remained vacant since January following the death of former AJK president Barrister Sultan Mahmood.
After Sultan Mahmood’s death, Chaudhry Latif Akbar initially performed the duties of acting president. The responsibility was later assumed by Chaudhry Tariq Farooq after he was elected speaker of the AJK Legislative Assembly on August 25.
Naqi was nominated by the PML-N, while the PPP fielded Chaudhry Latif Akbar for the presidential contest. Both candidates submitted their nomination papers on September 19, and their papers were declared valid after scrutiny.
The AJK Assembly has 46 occupied seats. The PML-N holds 31 seats and has the support of an allied member, giving its nominee 32 votes in the election. The PPP has 14 members, while one member did not participate in the voting.
Dr Najeeb Naqi belongs to Sudhnoti district and has previously served as health minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. He held the health portfolio from 2006 to 2011 and again during the PML-N government from 2016 to 2021. His election completes the process of filling the AJK presidency after several months.
