MUZAFFARABAD: In a significant development, the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly has elected Iftikhar Gillani of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) as the new Prime Minister. The election took place on Friday, with Gillani securing 30 votes out of 44, defeating his main rival, Sardar Mukhtar Ahmad Khan Abbasi of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), who received 14 votes.
Notably, Shah Ghulam Qadir, a PML-N legislator, was absent from the assembly and did not cast his vote during the election.
Background on Coalition Negotiations
Prior to the vote, there were reports indicating that the ruling PML-N had engaged in back-channel negotiations with the PPP to consider forming a coalition government in AJK. Sources revealed that the federal government had offered the PPP a partnership in the regional administration, along with key positions such as the AJK presidency and the deputy speaker of the Legislative Assembly.
However, the PPP declined the offer, opting instead to remain in opposition, according to insiders. The decision underscores the political dynamics at play in AJK as parties position themselves ahead of upcoming elections and government formation processes.
