PML-N leadership urges prioritising healthcare, education, infrastructure in meeting with new AJK PM Gilani

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz's (PML-N) senior leadership on Sunday stressed the need for the immediate resolution of problems faced by people in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), with a focus on healthcare, education and infrastructure, during a meeting with newly elected AJK Prime Minister Iftikhar Gilani and Speaker Tariq Farooq.

According to a statement issued by the PML-N, party President Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif met Gilani and Farooq.

The statement said that the party's senior leadership “stressed the need for the immediate resolution of the problems faced by the people of Azad Kashmir”.

During the meeting, Nawaz shared a “100-day reform plan” with the AJK prime minister aimed at improving healthcare, education, sanitation, infrastructure and other sectors in the region, according to the post on X.

The PML-N said its leadership directed that “AJK be put on a path of modernisation and development along the lines of Punjab”.

AJK PM Gilani and Speaker Farooq thanked the PML-N leadership for “expressing confidence” in them, the party said.

Nawaz, PM Shehbaz Sharif and CM Maryam also extended their “best wishes and congratulations” to the AJK prime minister and speaker, according to the post.

At the beginning of the current week, on August 24, forty-six newly elected members of the AJK Legislative Assembly took the oath, formally marking the start of the new parliamentary term following the 2026 general elections, with the PML-N emerging as the dominant parliamentary force.

PML-N-backed Barrister Iftikhar Gillani was sworn in as the 17th prime minister of AJK on Friday, completing the parliamentary set-up of the newly elected assembly. PPP's Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin was appointed leader of the opposition.

In his maiden speech, Gillani said livelihood opportunities would be his government's top priority, alongside reforms in education and healthcare. He also pledged to “digitalise the economy” and improve internet access across AJK.

AJK elections conclude

The elections were held in three phases under a revised schedule announced by AJK Chief Election Commissioner Ghulam Mustafa Mughal on July 21. The first phase covered all 13 constituencies in Mirpur Division, while polling in Muzaffarabad Division and the 12 refugee constituencies was held on August 2, followed by Poonch (Rawalakot) Division on August 10.

The AJK Election Commission on August 7 announced that polling would proceed as scheduled in four constituencies — Bagh Central, Bagh East, Bagh West and Haveli — while voting in seven constituencies would be postponed due to security concerns.

The postponement came against the backdrop of deteriorating security conditions in Poonch Division, where tensions have persisted since late July. Violent clashes erupted in Rawalakot between police and members of the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) after the group attempted to enter the city during the first phase of the AJK elections.

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The first phase concluded with polling across Mirpur Division, while the second phase covered nine constituencies in Muzaffarabad Division and 12 refugee seats, bringing 21 constituencies to the polls. However, voting in LA-27 Muzaffarabad-I and LA-28 Muzaffarabad-II was postponed after heavy rain, landslides and adverse weather prevented election staff and polling material from reaching several polling stations.

Polling in the two delayed constituencies was held two days later under heightened security arrangements, with the PML-N winning LA-27 Muzaffarabad-I and the PPP securing LA-28 Muzaffarabad-II, formally bringing the second phase of the elections to a close. The Election Commission subsequently notified the results of all 21 constituencies contested in the second phase.