Barrister Syed Iftikhar Ali Gilani has taken charge as the new Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) after securing a clear majority in the Legislative Assembly.
Gilani, a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader, won 30 votes in Friday’s election, defeating Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate Sardar Mukhtar Ahmed Abbasi, who received 14 votes. He was subsequently sworn in as the 17th Prime Minister of AJK in Muzaffarabad.
Gilani is not new to AJK politics. He first entered the Legislative Assembly in 2011 and later served as the region’s education minister. In the latest assembly, he was elected on a technocrat seat.
In his first address as prime minister, Gilani promised to focus on governance, education, healthcare and the digital economy. He also announced plans for a digital citizen portal to help people submit complaints and improve access to government services.
The new premier said his government would introduce a third-party recruitment system for government jobs and expand skills-based education to provide young people with better employment opportunities.
Gilani’s election also marks the PML-N’s return to power in AJK, following its strong performance in the recent legislative elections.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Gilani and expressed hope that his government would work for the development, prosperity and welfare of the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
