Dr Najeeb Naqi elected 23rd President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir

Polling for the presidential election was held at the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Secretariat. After the votes were counted, the victory of Dr Muhammad Najeeb Naqi Khan was announced. In the 46-member House, Speaker Chaudhry Tariq Farooq also cast his vote. The vote of Pakistan Peoples Party member Chaudhry Qasim Majeed could not be counted because he was absent.

Dr Najeeb Naqi’s election also completes the process of filling key constitutional offices after the formation of the newly elected government. Earlier, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz candidate Iftikhar Gilani had been elected Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir, and Chaudhry Tariq Farooq had taken over as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.

For the presidential election, the Election Commission of Azad Kashmir had approved the nomination papers of Dr Muhammad Najeeb Naqi Khan and Chaudhry Latif Akbar. After polling, the votes were counted under the supervision of the returning officer.

With the victory of Dr Muhammad Najeeb Naqi Khan, a new term has begun in the office of President in Azad Kashmir. Dunya News had broken the news of Dr Najeeb Naqi becoming President on 28 August. It has now proved correct, 24 days later, with his election as President.

With the election of Dr Muhammad Najeeb Naqi Khan as President, Poonch Division will gain representation in the key constitutional offices of the state government. After the presidential election, the upcoming elections on seven seats in Rawalakot and Sudhnoti will also be an important development in Azad Kashmir politics. After winning the presidential election, the position of the PML-N in those elections will improve further.