Lawmakers in Pakistan-administered Kashmir elected Syed Iftikhar Ali Gillani as prime minister on August 27, 2026, after securing 30 of 44 votes in the legislative assembly, marking the Pakistan Muslim League-N’s return to power in the region after a decade.
The election of Syed Iftikhar Ali Gillani as Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s (AJK) 17th prime minister followed a tightly contested vote in the legislative assembly, where he defeated Pakistan Peoples Party candidate Sardar Mukhtar Ahmed Abbasi, who received 14 votes. Gillani, a PML-N member and lawyer from Muzaffarabad, secured the support of 32 PML-N members and its ally, the Jammu and Kashmir Awami Dast-o-Bazu (JK ADB).
Gillani’s victory capped a political journey. Born in Muzaffarabad on July 27, 1980, he studied at SOAS in London and was called to the bar in 2005. His political career included winning a by-election in Muzaffarabad, a win attributed to local-versus-outsider tensions. Despite losing his seat in 2021, Gillani was considered by PML-N leadership for the office of prime minister, a decision opposed by some regional party figures.
The election took place amid months of protests led by the outlawed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), which had urged a boycott of the polls and is still holding rallies. The regional government banned JAAC recently, citing security and public-order concerns. The PML-N maintained a majority, with 32 seats, while the PPP held 14.
Gillani’s Pledge to the People
Lawmakers in Pakistan-administered Kashmir elect a prime minister
In his remarks after the election, Gillani vowed a government “of the people,” declaring, This era will be the era of the people of Kashmir.
He promised visible changes for both residents and state officials, stating, You will also see this and every servant of the state will see this.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Gillani, calling the PML-N’s victory the result of the leadership of party president Nawaz Sharif and the dedicated efforts of party workers. The federal government reaffirmed that it would continue extending all possible support for the progress, prosperity, and improvement of the quality of life of the people of AJK.
Regional Tensions and Electoral Context
The election occurred against the backdrop of territorial disputes between Pakistan and India over Kashmir. Both countries claim the Himalayan region in its entirety. The two countries have fought three wars since gaining independence from British colonial rule in 1947, two of them over Kashmir. The AJK Legislative Assembly has 53 seats, but its current strength stands at 46 as elections to seven seats in Poonch and Sudhnoti districts are yet to be held.
The PML-N’s dominance in AJK reflects political developments. Gillani’s selection as prime minister followed meetings involving PML-N leadership where the decision of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif was conveyed.
Gillani was scheduled to take the oath between 4pm and 5pm on August 27 following the assembly’s vote.
Who is Syed Iftikhar Ali Gillani, the new prime
The election of the prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) followed elections held in phases between July 27 and August 10. Of the 45 directly contested constituencies, polling was held in 38, with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz securing 25 seats and the Pakistan People’s Party winning 12. The lone MLA of the Awami Dast-o-Bazu party joined hands with the PML-N.
The schedule for the election of the prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) was issued on Wednesday, with the polling scheduled to be held in the Legislative Assembly on August 27. Nomination papers were submitted from 9:30am to 10:30am, followed by scrutiny of the papers from 10:30am to 10:45am. The list of candidates was displayed at 11am. Candidates were allowed to withdraw their nomination papers between 11am and 11:30am, while the final list of candidates was issued at noon 12pm. The election for the AJK prime minister was held at 12:30pm, while the newly elected prime minister would take the oath between 4pm and 5pm on August 27.
Gillani, who was first elected to the AJK Legislative Assembly in 2011, has also served as AJK education minister. He was elected to the AJK Legislative Assembly on the reserved seat for technocrats. PML-N President Nawaz Sharif nominated Barrister Gilani as the party’s candidate for the office of AJK premiership.
The Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly session began under the chairmanship of Speaker Chaudhry Tariq Farooq for the election of the new prime minister. Members of the Legislative Assembly reached the House as the voting process got underway. Both candidates for the prime ministership, Barrister Iftikhar Gilani and Sardar Mukhtar Khan, were also present in the House. The two candidates shook hands with each other before the voting, marking a cordial start to the election process.
PML-N’s Azad Kashmir president Shah Ghulam Qadir did not attend the Assembly session. However, PML-N senior leader and former AJK prime minister Raja Farooq Haider was present in the House during the election.
Gillani’s family background includes his father, Syed Asif Ali Gillani, and his paternal grandfather, Syed Bunyad Ali Shah Gillani, a known trader and transporter in the city. His paternal grandmother is remembered in Muzaffarabad for her philanthropic work and patronage of several charitable organisations.
PML-N's Iftikhar Gilani elected 17th AJK prime minister
When the PML-N formally launched its Azad Jammu and Kashmir chapter in Dec 2010, Gillani’s portrait adorned the hoardings. Fifteen years later, the same young politician has become AJK’s next prime minister.
The election commission and regional officials confirmed Gillani secured 30 of 44 votes cast in the legislative assembly, with his rival, Mukhtar Ahmed Abbasi of the former ruling Pakistan People’s Party, receiving 14 votes. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Gillani over being elected premier.
The election was overshadowed by months of protests led by JAAC, which urged residents not to participate and is still holding rallies, and was recently banned by the regional government, which cited security and public-order concerns.
Gillani’s tenure as prime minister will follow his election.
Gillani’s election marked the party’s return to power in the region after a decade.
