MUZAFFARABAD, September 24 — Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) nominee Dr Najeeb Naqi was elected the 25th president of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Thursday after securing 32 votes in the presidential election.
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate Chaudhry Latif Akbar received 13 votes, while one member remained absent from the voting process.
The presidential election was held at the AJK Legislative Assembly in Muzaffarabad, with lawmakers casting their votes to choose the new constitutional head of the region.
Dr Najeeb Naqi received 31 votes from PML-N lawmakers and one from a member of the Dast-o-Bazu Party.
The newly elected president is expected to take the oath of office following his election.
Dr Najeeb Naqi has previously served as AJK health minister and is an experienced figure in the region’s politics. He served as health minister from 2006 to 2011 and later held the same portfolio during the PML-N government from 2016 to 2021.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Dr Najeeb Naqi on his election and extended his best wishes to the newly elected AJK president.
The prime minister expressed hope that Dr Najeeb Naqi would effectively discharge his responsibilities and contribute to the development, prosperity and welfare of the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Shehbaz Sharif also reiterated the federal government’s commitment to supporting development and prosperity in AJK.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also congratulated Dr Najeeb Naqi on his election as president and extended her best wishes to him.
The presidential election fills the constitutional office that had remained vacant following the death of former AJK president Barrister Sultan Mahmood earlier this year.