MUZAFFARABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) nominee Dr Muhammad Najeeb Naqi has taken oath as the new president of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
Naqi was elected president for a five-year term after securing 32 votes in Thursday’s presidential election. Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate Chaudhry Latif Akbar received 13 votes, while one member remained absent.
The election took place at the AJK Legislative Assembly in Muzaffarabad. The constitutional office had remained vacant since January following the death of former president Barrister Sultan Mahmood.
Naqi received 31 votes from PML-N lawmakers and one vote from an allied member of the Jammu Kashmir Awami Dast-o-Bazu (JKADB).
The AJK Assembly has 46 occupied seats. The PML-N and its allied member hold 32 seats, while the PPP has 14 members.
Naqi’s Political Career
Dr Najeeb Naqi has previously served as AJK health minister. He held the portfolio from 2006 to 2011 and later served as health minister in the PML-N government from 2016 to 2021.
He has also held other government responsibilities during his political career, including education and information technology portfolios.
The PML-N emerged as the largest parliamentary force in the recent AJK elections. Its strength increased after members on reserved seats joined the Assembly, giving the party and its ally enough votes to secure the presidency.
Iftikhar Gilani Becomes AJK Prime Minister
Naqi’s election follows the appointment of PML-N leader Iftikhar Gilani as AJK prime minister.
Gilani was sworn in as the 17th prime minister of AJK on August 28 after securing 30 votes in the Legislative Assembly. He defeated PPP candidate Sardar Mukhtar Khan, who received 14 votes.
With the election of Naqi, AJK has now filled both of its top constitutional offices following the recent general elections.
