Nawaz interviews aspirants for AJK reserved seats

PML-N prepares to form government in region

LAHORE:

PML-N President Nawaz Sharif on Sunday interviewed women candidates aspiring for the party's reserved seats in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly (AJKLA), as the party continued consultations on forming the next government in the region.

The interviews were held in Murree as the PML-N leadership finalised its nominations for the eight reserved seats, including five seats reserved for women.

Nawaz Sharif reviewed the profiles and political backgrounds of the aspiring candidates and sought details about their political experience, public service and contributions to the party.

The PML-N emerged as the largest parliamentary force in the recently concluded AJK general elections, securing 25 of the 45 directly elected seats, while the PPP won 12 seats.

The party leadership is now focusing on the allocation of reserved seats and formation of the new government. The AJKLA has eight reserved seats: five for women and one each for ulema and mashayikh, a technocrat and overseas Kashmiris.

The PML-N's final nominations for the reserved seats are expected to be announced after completion of the consultation process. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, PML-N AJK President Shah Ghulam Qadir, Anosha Rehman and Rana Sanaullah were also present during the interviews.

The PML-N leadership has entrusted party supremo Nawaz Sharif with the final authority to decide the next AJK prime minister. The decision was taken at a high-level meeting of the PML-N's Pakistan and AJK leadership chaired by Nawaz Sharif in Murree on Saturday.

PML-N AJK President Shah Ghulam Qadir and Secretary General Chaudhry Tariq Farooq have emerged as the leading contenders for the office of AJK prime minister.

According to sources, the party leadership will weigh the credentials and political standing of both leaders before finalising the name of the new leader of the house.

Nawaz is expected to announce the name of the AJK leader of the house within the next few days. The party has also authorised him to decide on candidates for the reserved seats and other key parliamentary positions.

PML-N AJK President Shah Ghulam Qadir, former AJK prime minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan and newly elected PML-N members of the AJK Legislative Assembly also participated in the meeting.