Muzaffarabad, August 28, 2026: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Barrister Syed Iftikhar Ali Gilani was sworn in as the 17th prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Friday, hours after securing a clear majority in the legislative assembly.
Gilani took the oath of office at a ceremony held at the AJK Legislative Assembly in Muzaffarabad before delivering his maiden address to the House.
He secured 30 of the 44 votes cast in the election, defeating Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate Sardar Mukhtar Khan, who received 14 votes.
Gilani, who was elected to the AJK Legislative Assembly on a reserved seat for technocrats, has previously served as AJK education minister and was first elected to the assembly in 2011.
Kashmir remains central to AJK government agenda
Addressing the assembly after taking oath, Gilani said the Kashmir dispute was not a matter concerning a piece of land but a question of the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination in accordance with United Nations resolutions.
He strongly condemned India’s measures of August 5, 2019, saying legislation could not alter the disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir or make the territory part of India.
“Pakistan is incomplete without Kashmir, and Kashmir is also incomplete without Pakistan,” Gilani said.
The newly elected premier also expressed gratitude to the Pakistan Army and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, saying the armed forces had enabled people in AJK to live peacefully.
He thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for their support.
Gilani promises governance and digital reforms
Turning to domestic governance, Gilani pledged to bring major changes to AJK, saying his government would seek to replicate what he described as the development and governance initiatives undertaken by Maryam Nawaz’s administration in Punjab.
He announced plans to introduce a third-party recruitment mechanism similar to the National Testing Service (NTS) to improve transparency and merit in government hiring.
The AJK premier acknowledged that internet connectivity remained unavailable in some parts of the territory but expressed confidence that the situation would improve.
He said his government would promote a digital economy and introduce skills-based education to equip young people with practical capabilities and improve their employment prospects.
Gilani also pledged reforms in the health and education sectors and announced plans to establish a digital citizen portal through which people would be able to register and follow up on complaints and public-service issues.
Shehbaz congratulates new AJK premier
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Gilani on his election as AJK prime minister, describing the PML-N’s victory as the outcome of Nawaz Sharif’s leadership and the dedicated efforts of party workers.
The prime minister expressed confidence that Gilani would play an active role in the development of AJK and work for the welfare, prosperity and improved quality of life of its people.
Shehbaz reaffirmed that the federal government would continue providing all possible support for the progress and development of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
He also welcomed the continuation of the democratic process in AJK, describing it as a positive development.
Gilani’s election marks a change in the AJK government after the PPP’s Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq administration, with the new premier taking charge at a time when the territory faces demands for improved governance, public services, digital connectivity and economic opportunities.
