PML-N’s Barrister Syed Iftikhar Ali Gillani takes oath as the new AJK PM. Photo: Express
MUZAFFARABAD:
The parliamentary set-up of the newly elected Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly was completed on Friday with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)-backed Barrister Syed Iftikhar Ali Gillani taking the oath as the 17th prime minister and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin being appointed Leader of the Opposition.
The oath was administered to Gillani by AJK Acting President Chaudhry Tariq Farooq during a televised ceremony held at the AJK Legislative Assembly in Muzaffarabad.
In his maiden speech as premier, the newly elected AJK prime minister thanked PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Rana Sanaullah and other senior party leaders for their support.
“I will work hard round the clock to ensure that I maintain the confidence of the party leadership and the people in our government,” he said.
The premier also called on the people of AJK, particularly fellow lawmakers elected to the lower house, to join him in his efforts to take the region forward. “Let us move forward together and build an AJK that is exemplary to the whole world,” he said.
Addressing the ceremony, the premier said his government would make provision of livelihood opportunities its top priority. “This will enable the youth to achieve a better future,” he said, adding that livelihood was closely linked to access to education, healthcare and other essential amenities.
Noting that it was impossible to give government jobs to all Kashmiris, he said there was a need to rely on technology to create jobs and livelihood. “AJK will digitalise the economy,” Gillani stressed, acknowledging a need to widen internet access across the valley.
While announcing reforms in the health and education sector, he said his government will launch a citizen portal for complaint registration as the first step towards resolution of issues.
During his speech, PM Gillani said, “Pakistan and Kashmir are incomplete without each other.”
He emphasised that the Kashmir issue was not just a dispute over a piece of land. “It is an issue concerning the rights of the people of Kashmir and their right to self-determination in line with the United Nations resolutions”
The AJK premier also condemned India’s August 5, 2019, action and the atrocities committed against Kashmiris in his first address to the legislative assembly members. In contrast, he said, Kashmiris in AJK sleep peacefully because of the sacrifices made by the Pakistan Armed Forces under the leadership of Field Marshal Asim Munir.
The newly elected premier also said he wished to replicate the progress of Punjab under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz in AJK.
Meanwhile, the assembly speaker, Chaudhry Tariq Farooq, formally notified Yasin’s appointment as Leader of the Opposition.
Yasin previously served as Leader of the Opposition in the AJK Legislative Assembly from 2016 to 2021.
A veteran politician, Yasin has remained active in practical politics for more than three decades and is considered one of the senior PPP figures in AJK.
Separately, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday congratulated Barrister Iftikhar Gillani on his election as the prime minister of AJK, expressing hope that he would play an active role in the development and prosperity of the region.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, the prime minister said the PML-N victory in AJK was the result of the efforts of the party leadership, particularly former prime minister and party leader Nawaz Sharif, alongside party workers.
PM Shehbaz expressed confidence that the newly elected AJK premier would work vigorously for the development of the region and the welfare of its people.
He reaffirmed that the federal government would continue to extend all possible cooperation to AJK for its development and prosperity and for improving the living standards of its people.
The prime minister also welcomed the continuation of the democratic process in AJK, describing it as a positive development.
Acting President of Pakistan Sardar Ayaz Sadiq also congratulated Barrister Gillani on his successful election as the prime minister.
In a statement issued by his office, Sadiq wished the newly appointed premier the best for his tenure, saying that Gilani’s election reflected the confidence reposed in his leadership abilities by members of the AJK Legislative Assembly.
Resting hope in the political insight and leadership of Barrister Gillani, the acting president said he would steer AJK towards greater development, prosperity and public welfare.
He reaffirmed that the federal government would extend its full support and cooperation for the “development and prosperity” of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
“Welfare and well-being of the people of AJK remains a priority for the federal government,” Sadiq said.
