Nawaz Sharif Interviews AJK Reserved-Seat Candidates as PML-N Prepares Government
LAHORE, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif has interviewed women seeking the party’s nominations for reserved seats in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly as consultations intensify over the formation of the region’s next government.
The interviews were conducted in Murree on Sunday as the PML-N leadership worked towards finalising its candidates for eight reserved seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly, five of which are allocated to women.
During the process, Nawaz reviewed the candidates’ political profiles and sought information about their experience, public service and contributions to the party.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, PML-N AJK President Shah Ghulam Qadir, Anusha Rahman and Rana Sanaullah were among the senior party figures present during the interviews.
PML-N emerges as largest party
The consultations follow the recently concluded AJK general elections, in which the PML-N emerged as the largest parliamentary force.
The party secured 25 of the 45 directly elected seats, while the Pakistan Peoples Party won 12 seats, according to the election results cited in the report.
Attention has now shifted from the general election to the allocation of reserved seats and formation of the new government.
The AJK Legislative Assembly has eight reserved seats — five for women and one each for ulema and mashayikh, technocrats and overseas Kashmiris.
The PML-N is expected to announce its nominations once the ongoing internal consultation process is completed.
Nawaz given authority to choose next AJK PM
One of the most significant decisions still facing the party is the selection of the next prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The PML-N leadership has given Nawaz Sharif final authority to choose the party’s nominee for the position.
The decision was taken during a high-level meeting of the party’s Pakistan and AJK leadership chaired by Nawaz in Murree on Saturday.
The former prime minister has also been authorised to finalise nominations for reserved seats and other important parliamentary positions.
Shah Ghulam Qadir, Tariq Farooq emerge as contenders
Two senior PML-N leaders have emerged as leading contenders for the office of AJK prime minister.
PML-N AJK President Shah Ghulam Qadir and the party’s regional Secretary General Chaudhry Tariq Farooq are being considered for the position, according to party sources cited in the report.
The leadership is expected to assess the political standing, experience and credentials of both contenders before reaching a final decision.
No nominee has yet been formally announced.
Nawaz is expected to name the party’s candidate for leader of the house within the coming days as consultations move towards completion.
Government formation enters final stage
The PML-N’s majority among directly elected members has placed the party in a strong position to form the next AJK government.
The allocation of reserved seats will determine the final composition of the legislature and further shape the parliamentary strength of the competing parties.
Senior regional leaders, including former AJK prime minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan and newly elected PML-N members of the Legislative Assembly, have also participated in the government-formation consultations.
With reserved-seat nominations and the premiership still to be finalised, the coming days are expected to determine the leadership structure of the new administration.
For now, Nawaz Sharif remains at the centre of the decision-making process, with the party empowering him to make the final calls on the next prime minister, reserved-seat candidates and other key parliamentary appointments.
