Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Iftikhar Gilani has taken oath as the 17th prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
Gilani took the oath during a ceremony at the AJK Legislative Assembly in Muzaffarabad on Friday. Afterwards, he delivered his first address to the legislative house.
Gilani secured 30 votes during the election for the top constitutional office. Meanwhile, Pakistan Peoples Party candidate Sardar Mukhtar Khan received 14 votes.
The newly elected premier first entered the AJK Legislative Assembly in 2011. He later served as the region’s education minister before securing a reserved technocrat seat.
Gilani Highlights Kashmiris’ Right To Self-Determination
Addressing lawmakers, Gilani said the Kashmir dispute concerns more than territory. He described it as a question of Kashmiri self-determination under relevant United Nations resolutions.
Moreover, he criticised India’s measures introduced on August 5, 2019. Gilani argued that legislation could not change Kashmir’s disputed status or make it part of India.
He also reiterated Pakistan’s longstanding position on Kashmir during his maiden speech. “Pakistan is incomplete without Kashmir, and Kashmir is also incomplete without Pakistan,” he said.
New AJK Premier Thanks Pakistan’s Leadership
Gilani also expressed gratitude to Pakistan’s armed forces and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. He said Kashmiris could sleep peacefully because of the military’s role in protecting the region.
Furthermore, the AJK premier thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for his support. He also acknowledged PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
Gilani’s election marks a new chapter for the PML-N in AJK politics. His government will now face expectations over governance, development and the Kashmir cause.
