Rana Sanaullah Defends Nawaz Sharif’s Choice for AJK Premier

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's political advisor, Rana Sanaullah, has defended the selection of Barrister Iftikhar Gilani as the new prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, stating the decision was made by PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif.

Addressing the controversy within the party over the appointment, Sanaullah acknowledged it was a "difficult decision" for the leadership but asserted that no injustice was done. He also offered an olive branch to dissenting senior leaders, stating that both AJK PML-N president Shah Ghulam Qadir and former premier Raja Farooq Haider would be included in the "team."

In his inaugural speech, Prime Minister Syed Iftikhar Ali Gilani acknowledged that he was heading an incomplete legislative assembly, with seven seats in the Poonch and Sudhnoti districts yet to be filled due to the law-and-order situation in those areas. He expressed hope that the electoral process would be completed soon.

Mr Gilani also outlined a series of new pledges, including providing employment for youth, ensuring recruitment on merit, implementing anti-corruption measures, improving education and healthcare, digitising the economy, and launching a portal to address citizens’ grievances.

Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Barrister Iftikhar Gillani has reiterated his pledge to restore services, assuring the business community and students that internet access and road links would be restored within days. Speaking at the Central Press Club on Saturday, he said the government was also formulating a policy to address the financial losses suffered by businesses, particularly in Mirpur, due to the recent internet shutdown and protests.

The prime minister expressed concern over the situation in Rawalakot, stating his government would make every effort to bring it under control. He added that the educational disruption for children was a “foremost concern.”

Mr Gillani also announced he would be travelling to Lahore to meet with PML-N leaders Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz.

Newly elected Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Iftikhar Ali Gillani has announced that the region’s entry and exit routes, along with internet services, will be restored within the next two days.

Speaking to the media during a visit to the Press Club on Saturday, Gillani said all entry and exit routes in Azad Kashmir would be reopened within two days.

He added that internet services would also be restored in phases, with connectivity for educational institutions to be reinstated within the next two days as the first step. Gillani said the Kashmir freedom movement and good governance would remain among his government’s key priorities.

Federal Minister and senior PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah has defended the party's decision to appoint Barrister Syed Iftikhar Ali Gilani as the prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, stating the move was made by the party leadership and Nawaz Sharif.

Speaking on a TV program, Sanaullah, who is also the political advisor to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, acknowledged it was a "difficult decision" but asserted that no injustice was done to anyone.

He also addressed internal party dissent, stating that senior leader Raja Farooq Haider, who had opposed the nomination, and AJK party president Shah Ghulam Qadir would be "included in the team."

In a new development regarding the formation of the government in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, senior PML-N leader and Federal Minister Rana Sanaullah has issued a statement on the matter. The statement comes as the newly-elected AJK Prime Minister, Barrister Syed Iftikhar Ali Gilani, continues consultations for the formation of his cabinet.

Following his inauguration, reports on August 29 indicate that Prime Minister Iftikhar Gilani has begun the process of forming his cabinet. Deliberations are reportedly underway, with several names under consideration for ministerial positions.

Newly-elected Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Iftikhar Gilani has made a major announcement regarding development initiatives for the region, according to reports on August 29.

PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif has extended his congratulations to Barrister Syed Iftikhar Ali Gilani on his election as the new Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

In his first address after taking the oath of office, newly elected Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Iftikhar Gilani outlined his government's key priorities, vowing to ensure employment for the region's youth.

"We have to take all the steps to ensure employment, so that our youth do not follow any other path, but rather a path that gives them respect, employment and a better future," Gilani stated.

He added that his government would also focus on the education and healthcare sectors to ease the pressures faced by people in the region.

In the election for the premiership, Barrister Iftikhar Hussain Gilani defeated his lone rival, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate Mukhtar Abbasi, who secured 14 votes against Gilani's 30.

Notably, Abbasi had previously defeated Gilani in the direct general elections held on August 2. Gilani was subsequently elected to the 53-member AJK Legislative Assembly on a reserved technocrat seat on August 24, which paved the way for his nomination for prime minister.

The session also saw dissent from within the PML-N, as the party's AJK president Shah Ghulam Qadir remained absent, reportedly in protest over being overlooked for the top position.

In his first address after being sworn in, Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Iftikhar Gilani stated that Kashmiris can sleep peacefully because of the Pakistan Army, and he thanked the armed forces and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for their role in safeguarding the region.

Addressing the House, Gilani said his government would work to bring visible improvements to the lives of people across Azad Kashmir, drawing inspiration from the public-service initiatives introduced by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. He acknowledged that residents face serious challenges, particularly in healthcare, and vowed to focus on upgrading hospitals and medical facilities.

The new premier also announced plans to launch a Digital Citizen Portal to provide residents with a direct channel for complaints. He condemned Indian legislative actions in Kashmir, maintaining that such measures cannot change the status of the disputed territory.

Barrister Syed Iftikhar Ali Gilani took the oath of office as the 17th prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, August 28. The oath was administered by AJK's Acting President, Chaudhry Tariq Farooq, in a ceremony in Muzaffarabad.

Following the ceremony, Prime Minister Gilani thanked the PML-N leadership for their trust and stated that ensuring employment for the youth would be a priority for his government.

Barrister Syed Iftikhar Ali Gilani took the oath of office as the 17th prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir on Friday. The oath was administered following his controversial election.

In his first remarks to the media after the ceremony, Prime Minister Gilani stated that the Kashmir issue would not be resolved until United Nations resolutions are implemented. He condemned India's actions of August 5, 2019, and paid tribute to the people of Indian-administered Kashmir.

Gilani outlined his government's priorities, which include tackling inflation and unemployment, ensuring a transparent system for appointments, and promoting development in sectors like agriculture and tourism. He also mentioned that his cabinet would be formed within a few days.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Gilani on his election.

The election has drawn further criticism from within the PML-N, with Senator Afnanullah Khan questioning the decision in light of the party's "Vote Ko Izzat Do" (Respect the Vote) slogan. The critique stems from the fact that Gilani was appointed to a reserved technocrat seat and subsequently elected prime minister after losing his general election contest.

Born in Muzaffarabad in 1980, Syed Iftikhar Ali Gilani received his higher education in London, earning a law degree from SOAS and being called to the bar at Lincoln’s Inn in 2005. He has previously served as AJK's education minister.

Gilani first entered the AJK Legislative Assembly in a 2011 by-election. He is the 17th person to hold the office of Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Barrister Syed Iftikhar Ali Gilani of the PML-N was elected as the new prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir on Friday.

He secured 30 votes in the AJK Assembly, defeating the PPP's candidate, Sardar Mukhtar Ahmed Abbasi, who received 14 votes.

The AJK Assembly currently has 46 members, as elections for seven seats have not yet been held. The PML-N and its allies hold 32 seats, while the PPP has 14 lawmakers.

PML-N President and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has formally nominated Barrister Iftikhar Ali Gilani as the party's candidate for Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, according to reports on Friday.

Following his nomination, Gilani stated that he would work to begin a "new era of development and prosperity" in Azad Kashmir.

The nomination comes despite significant opposition from senior members of the party's AJK chapter, who are protesting the selection.

The Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly has released the schedule for the election of the new prime minister, set to take place on Friday in Muzaffarabad. According to the schedule, nomination papers were to be submitted by 9:30 am, with the final list of candidates to be displayed at 1:00 pm. Polling is scheduled to begin at 2:00 pm. All proceedings will be completed at the Assembly Secretariat.

Following his nomination by the PML-N for the post of Azad Jammu and Kashmir's Prime Minister, Barrister Iftikhar Ali Gilani has released his first video message. The development comes as the AJK assembly session to elect the new premier proceeds on Friday, August 28, 2026.

The election for the new Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir is set to take place on Friday, August 28, 2026. The assembly session is scheduled to begin at 9 AM.

The election proceeds despite a significant rift within the regional PML-N chapter over the party's nomination of Barrister Syed Iftikhar Ali Gilani for the post, with senior local leaders having previously announced they would not participate in the process.

The rift within the PML-N's Azad Jammu and Kashmir chapter has widened significantly following the nomination of Barrister Syed Iftikhar Ali Gilani for prime minister. Senior leaders Raja Farooq Haider and Shah Ghulam Qadir formally expressed their disagreement during a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad.

According to reports, after PM Shehbaz conveyed that the nomination was decided by party supremo Nawaz Sharif, both Haider and Qadir announced they would not participate in the assembly's election process for the new premier. A subsequent meeting held by federal ministers Rana Sanaullah and Saad Rafique to placate the dissenting leaders remained inconclusive.

Following the meetings, Mr. Qadir posted on the social media platform X, assuring the people of Azad Kashmir that he would not compromise on their honour and that Nawaz Sharif’s slogan of “respect the vote” would be ensured.

The internal dissent within the PML-N's Azad Jammu and Kashmir chapter has escalated, with reports indicating that senior leaders Raja Farooq Haider and Shah Ghulam Qadir have been warned of potential disciplinary action. According to available information, Barrister Aqeel stated that the two leaders could face consequences if they defy party policy during an upcoming session.

Following the election of Barrister Syed Iftikhar Ali Gilani as the new Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, reports have named senior PML-N leaders Shah Ghulam Qadir and Raja Farooq Haider as being among those unhappy with the party's decision. The discontent stems from the selection of a candidate who was not directly elected in the general election.

In what appeared to be his first public remarks after the nomination, the prime minister-designate, Barrister Gilani, called on protesters to show flexibility. The specific context of his comment regarding the protesters was not immediately clear.

Barrister Syed Iftikhar Ali Gilani has been elected as the new Leader of the House in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly, securing the position of Prime Minister.

His election follows his nomination by PML-N President Nawaz Sharif. Mr. Gilani was elected to the assembly on a reserved seat for technocrats.