Nawaz Sharif nominates Iftikhar Gilani for AJK PM amid party rift

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.