MUZAFFARABAD: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has emerged as the leading political force in Azad Jammu and Kashmir after the completion of all three phases of the general elections, securing 24 seats and triggering consultations over the formation of the new government.
The development has intensified speculation over who will become the next prime minister of Azad Kashmir, with senior PML-N leaders reportedly being considered for the top constitutional position.
A meeting of the PML-N’s AJK leadership was held under the chairmanship of party president and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.
In this regard, the PML-N AJK President Shah Ghulam Qadir and Secretary General Chaudhry Tariq Farooq have emerged as the leading candidates for the position of leader of the house.
The sources said the party leadership would review the political situation and the performance of both successful candidates before making a final decision on the next prime minister.
The consultations come as political parties prepare for the next phase of government formation following the completion of polling across the three phases of the AJK elections.
However, Nawaz Sharif also discussed measures aimed at improving access to remote areas of Azad Kashmir and ensuring that the newly elected government remains connected with people in distant constituencies.
Meanwhile, Nawaz Sharif directed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to provide a helicopter to the AJK prime minister from the federal government’s available resources so that the future AJK premier could travel more easily to remote areas and address public grievances.
Nawaz Sharif also instructed Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to extend cooperation to the incoming AJK government.
The PML-N leadership is now expected to finalize its choice for the prime ministerial slot after further consultations.
The decision could determine the political direction of the new AJK government and is likely to remain the focus of political activity in the coming days.
