PML-N leadership urges prioritising healthcare, education, infrastructure in meeting with new AJK PM Gilani

"پاکستان مسلم لیگ ن کے صدر محمد نواز شریف، وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف اور وزیر اعلیٰ پنجاب مریم نواز شریف سے آزاد جموں و کشمیر کے وزیر اعظم افتخار گیلانی اور سپیکر طارق فاروق کی ملاقات"🔸آزاد جموں و کشمیر کے وزیر اعظم افتخار گیلانی اور سپیکر طارق فاروق نے اظہار اعتماد پر پاکستان…pic.twitter.com/Bt0hspBX4x— PMLN (@pmln_org)August 30, 2026During the meeting, Nawaz shared a “100-day reform plan” with the AJK prime minister aimed at improving healthcare, education, sanitation, infrastructure and other sectors in the region,.

The PML-N said its leadership directed that “AJK be put on a path of modernisation and development along the lines of Punjab”. AJK PM Gilani and Speaker Farooq thanked the PML-N leadership for “expressing confidence” in them, the party said.

Nawaz, PM Shehbaz Sharif and CM Maryam also extended their “best wishes and congratulations” to the AJK prime minister and speaker,. At the beginning of the current week, on August 24, forty-six newly elected members of the AJK Legislative.

Assemblytook the oath, formally marking the start of the new parliamentary term following the 2026 general elections, with the PML-N emerging as the dominant parliamentary force. PML-N-backed Barrister Iftikhar Gillani wasswornin as the 17th prime minister of AJK on Friday, completing the parliamentary set-up of the newly elected assembly.

PPP's Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin was appointed leader of the opposition. In his maiden speech, Gillani said livelihood opportunities would be his government's top priority, alongside reforms in education and healthcare. He also pledged to “digitalise the economy” and improve internet access across AJK.AJK elections conclude.

The elections were held in three phases under a revised scheduleannouncedby AJK Chief Election Commissioner Ghulam Mustafa Mughal on July 21. The first phase covered all 13 constituencies in Mirpur Division, while polling in Muzaffarabad Division and the 12 refugee constituencies was held on August 2, followed by Poonch (Rawalakot) Division on August 10.

The AJK Election Commission on August 7announcedthat polling would proceed as scheduled in four constituencies — Bagh Central, Bagh East, Bagh West and Haveli — while voting in seven constituencies would be postponed due to security concerns. The postponement came against the backdrop ofdeteriorating security conditionsin Poonch Division, where tensions have persisted since late July.

Violent clashes erupted in Rawalakot between police and members of the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) after the group attempted to enter the city during the first phase of the AJK elections. Read More:AJK premier alleges PPP denied level playing field in recent elections.

Thefirst phaseconcluded with polling across Mirpur Division, while thesecond phasecovered nine constituencies in Muzaffarabad Division and 12 refugee seats, bringing 21 constituencies to the polls. However, voting in LA-27 Muzaffarabad-I and LA-28 Muzaffarabad-II waspostponedafter heavy rain, landslides and adverse weather prevented election staff and polling material from reaching several polling stations.

Polling in the two delayed constituencies was held two days later under heightened security arrangements, with the PML-N winning LA-27 Muzaffarabad-I and the PPP securing LA-28 Muzaffarabad-II, formally bringing the second phase of the electionsto a close. The Election Commission subsequentlynotified the resultsof all 21 constituencies contested in the second phase.