PML-N President Nawaz Sharif chaired a party meeting to discuss the formation of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government and potential candidates for the prime ministerial slot, as six candidates contested five women’s reserved seats in the Legislative Assembly today.
The meeting also touched on the country’s broader political situation, the health of PTI founder Imran Khan, and recent Supreme Court decisions. PML-N leaders Shah Ghulam Qadir and Tariq Farooq have emerged as the leading contenders for the top office, with sources suggesting one of the two is likely to be nominated as the party’s candidate for prime minister. The meeting also focused on the party’s broader political strategy and decision-making process, building on multiple earlier rounds of consultations on AJK government formation as part of the party’s ongoing efforts to consolidate its position in the region.
Election Strategy Finalised
Separately, the PML-N parliamentary party in AJK met to finalise its strategy for Monday’s election to the seven reserved seats of the AJK Legislative Assembly. The meeting was chaired by PML-N AJK president Shah Ghulam Qadir and attended by Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry and Senator Anusha Rahman.
Participants expressed full confidence in the leadership of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. A resolution adopted at the meeting reaffirmed the parliamentary party’s commitment to AJK’s development, the supremacy of the Constitution and law, and the restoration of merit and justice in line with Nawaz Sharif’s vision, along with its continued commitment to the ideology of accession to Pakistan and the slogan “Kashmir Banega Pakistan.”
The resolution also expressed full support for measures taken by Pakistan’s armed forces under Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir against internal and external threats, and expressed satisfaction with Pakistan’s international standing. The meeting resolved that the incoming AJK government would work to improve law and order, revive the stalled development process, and formulate comprehensive welfare policies. It also expressed confidence in the electoral process and congratulated the Chief Election Commissioner and administration on conducting the elections.
On the Kashmir dispute, the resolution voiced concern over the situation in India-held Jammu and Kashmir, calling on the international community to take notice of what it described as Indian war crimes in the territory. It said India had illegally revoked occupied Kashmir’s special status in 2019 in violation of UN and Security Council resolutions, and accused New Delhi of misleading the international community about conditions there. The meeting paid tribute to the Kashmiri people for their “unprecedented sacrifices” and steadfastness in their struggle for self-determination, and acknowledged the political, moral, and diplomatic support extended by Pakistan’s people and government. It also rejected remarks on Kashmir attributed to the US ambassador to India and demanded the dispute be resolved in accordance with UN resolutions.
Reserved Seats for Women
Six candidates contested five seats reserved for women in the AJK Legislative Assembly today, according to the final list issued by the Election Commission on Sunday. The contenders include PML-N’s Riffat Abid, Sehrish Qamar, Maryam Idrees, and Maryam Zaman (also known as Maryam Kashmiri), alongside PPP’s Farzana Yaqoob and Zobia Khurshid Raja.
