MUZAFFARABAD: Dr Najeeb Naqi of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was elected president of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Thursday, securing 32 votes against 13 received by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate Chaudhry Latif Akbar.
Polling for the presidential election was held at the AJK Legislative Assembly Secretariat. Under the AJK Constitution, the president is elected by members of the Legislative Assembly by a majority of the total membership.
The election filled the constitutional office that had remained vacant since January following the death of former AJK president Barrister Sultan Mahmood.
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Following his death, then-Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar served as acting president. The role was later assumed by incumbent Speaker Chaudhry Tariq Farooq after his election as Speaker on August 25.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Dr Naqi on his election and expressed his best wishes, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.
The prime minister expressed hope that Dr Naqi would discharge his responsibilities effectively and play a constructive role in the development, prosperity and welfare of the people of AJK. He also reaffirmed that the federal government would extend its full cooperation to AJK.
