PML-N's Barrister Iftikhar Ali Gillani takes oath as AJK prime minister 

Muzaffarabad (Web Desk): Barrister Syed Iftikhar Ali Gilani of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has assumed office as the 17th prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

Gilani took the oath of office on Friday at a ceremony in the AJK Legislative Assembly in Muzaffarabad.

After being sworn in, he addressed the house for the first time in his new capacity.

The PML-N candidate received 30 votes during the election for the top AJK slot, comfortably defeating

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) nominee Sardar Mukhtar Khan, who secured 14 votes.

Barrister Iftikhar Gilani has been a member of the AJK Legislative Assembly since 2011 and has previously held the portfolio of education minister in the region. He returned to the assembly through a reserved seat designated for technocrats.

Speaking to lawmakers after assuming office, Gilani said the Kashmir dispute should not be viewed merely as a territorial conflict.

He described it as an issue involving the fundamental right of Kashmiris to determine their own future in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions.

The newly elected AJK PM criticised India's August 5, 2019 measures, arguing that the passage of legislation could not alter Kashmir's disputed status or turn the territory into an integral part of India.

"Pakistan is incomplete without Kashmir, and Kashmir is also incomplete without Pakistan," Gilani said.

The AJK premier also voiced appreciation for the Pakistan Army and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, saying the security forces had helped ensure that Kashmiris could live and sleep without fear.

Barrister Iftikhar Gilani extended his gratitude to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for their support.

He said his administration would seek to transform AJK along similar lines to the changes he credited Maryam Nawaz with bringing to Punjab.

On government recruitment, Gilani announced that his administration planned to establish an independent, third-party hiring mechanism modelled on the National Testing Service (NTS).

He also recognised the connectivity problems faced by residents in some parts of Azad Kashmir, where internet access remains unavailable, but expressed hope that the situation would improve.

The new premier said that his government intended to promote a digital economy and strengthen skills-based education so that young people could acquire abilities aligned with modern requirements.

He also promised changes in the health and education departments and said a digital citizen portal would be established to enable people to submit complaints and seek solutions to their problems.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Barrister Gilani on his election as the AJK prime minister.

In his congratulatory statement, Shehbaz attributed the PML-N's victory in AJK to the leadership of party president Nawaz Sharif and the dedication of the party's workers.

He expressed the hope that Gilani would play an effective part in advancing development in Azad Jammu and Kashmir while working to improve the welfare and prosperity of its residents.

PM Shehbaz also reiterated that the federal government would continue offering every possible form of assistance to support AJK's development, prosperity and efforts to improve the quality of life of its people.

He further welcomed the continuation of the democratic process in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, describing it as a positive development.