PML-N Leadership Moves to Finalise Women’s Reserved Seat Nominees
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz President Nawaz Sharif is set to interview candidates for women’s reserved seats in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Sunday.
The interviews will be held at Governor House in Murree as the party moves closer to forming the next government in AJK.
Senior PML-N leaders are also expected to participate in the selection process.
According to sources, the interview panel will include senior party office-bearers under the leadership of PML-N Azad Kashmir President Shah Ghulam Qadir.
The party leadership will assess candidates before finalising nominations for the women’s reserved seats.
Several prominent names are currently under consideration.
They include Sehrish Qamar, Nisara Abbasi, Maryam Kashmiri, Maria Iqbal Tarana and Nasira Khan.
Sources said the mother of Shoaib Abid from Dadyal is also being considered for one of the reserved seats.
The final decision will be taken by the senior PML-N leadership after the interviews are completed.
Reserved Seats Could Lift PML-N Strength to 31 Members
The PML-N has emerged as the largest party in the AJK Legislative Assembly after securing 25 general seats.
The party is now expected to increase its parliamentary strength through reserved seats.
These include seats allocated for women, technocrats, religious scholars and overseas Kashmiris.
Once the reserved seats are distributed, the PML-N’s strength in the assembly is expected to rise to 31 members.
That would further strengthen the party’s position in the race to form the next AJK government.
The allocation of reserved seats is based on party representation in the assembly.
With the PML-N holding the largest number of general seats, it is expected to receive the biggest share of reserved seats.
The selection of women candidates is therefore seen as an important step in completing the party’s parliamentary lineup.
It will also help shape the composition of the next government.
Reserved Seat Election Schedule Expected Soon
Sources said the election schedule for reserved seats could be announced on August 17.
The AJK Legislative Assembly may also be summoned for the voting process once the nominations are finalised.
Voting for women’s reserved seats is expected to take place on August 18.
The remaining reserved categories are also expected to be filled as part of the government formation process.
The PML-N leadership is working to complete nominations quickly so that the next phase can proceed without delay.
The party’s clear lead on general seats has placed it in a strong position.
However, the reserved-seat process will determine the final parliamentary numbers before the next government is formally established.
The outcome will also influence key political decisions, including the selection of leadership positions within the new administration.
With Nawaz Sharif directly involved in interviewing women candidates, the party appears to be giving significant importance to the composition of its AJK parliamentary team.
The final names are expected to be announced after consultations among the senior leadership.
