New AJK assembly to be sworn in today

The first session of the new Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly (AJKLA) will be held today (Monday), marking the beginning of the new assembly following the 2026 general elections. Before the newly elected members take the oath, polling for seven reserved seats will be held from 10am to 1pm. Polling will be conducted for five seats reserved for women and one each for technocrats and religious scholars. The seat reserved for overseas Kashmiris has already been won unopposed by PML-N candidate Abdul Rehman Arain. Following the completion of polling and announcement of results for the reserved seats, the newly elected members will take the oath at 2pm. The assembly will elect the speaker and deputy speaker tomorrow (Tuesday), while the election for the AJK prime minister is scheduled for August 27. The 53-member house is currently dominated by the PML-N, which has 25 seats. With the addition of its reserved-seat members and the support of the Awam Dast-e-Bazu, the party's strength is expected to reach 33, placing it in a strong position to form the next government in the region. Meanwhile, in a weekly meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and PML-N President Nawaz Sharif, the two elders of the ruling party on Sunday deliberated upon the names of the upcoming AJK prime minister and speaker. Separately, PML-N parliamentary party in the AJK held its first formal meeting on Sunday under the chairmanship of party president and expected prime minister Shah Ghulam Qadir. The meeting, which assumed significance ahead of the formation of the new AJK government, discussed key political and governance matters, the situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), and the strategy for elections to seven reserved seats in the legislative assembly. The parliamentary party also unanimously adopted a resolution outlining its political and governance priorities. The meeting pledged to pursue development in AJK in line with Nawaz Sharif's vision, while ensuring supremacy of the Constitution and law, merit and justice. It also reaffirmed the party's commitment to the ideology of accession to Pakistan and the slogan "Kashmir is Pakistan's jugular vein." The parliamentary party resolved that the incoming government would focus on improving law and order, reviving stalled development activity and preparing comprehensive policies aimed at public welfare. The meeting also endorsed the recent AJK electoral process and congratulated the chief election commissioner and the administration for conducting what it described as successful elections. The PML-N parliamentary party expressed full support for measures taken by the Pakistan armed forces under the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir against internal and external threats, and welcomed what it termed Pakistan's growing recognition at the international level. The resolution expressed deep concern over the situation in the IIOJK and called upon the international community to take notice of alleged human rights violations and war crimes in the territory. It alleged that India had violated UNSC resolutions by ending the special status of occupied Kashmir in 2019. It paid tribute to the Kashmiri people for their struggle, sacrifices and steadfastness, while appreciating Pakistan's political, moral and diplomatic support for their right to self-determination. The AJK PML-N parliamentary party also rejected remarks on Kashmir attributed to the US ambassador to India and called for the Kashmir dispute to be resolved in accordance with United Nations resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. The meeting emphasised that the incoming government would make resolution of public problems, restoration of law and order, revival of merit and completion of development projects its key priorities. According to a report published in The Express Tribune on August 15, the PML-N leadership has entrusted Nawaz with the final authority to decide the next AJK prime minister. PML-N AJK President Shah Ghulam Qadir and Secretary General Chaudhry Tariq Farooq have emerged as the leading contenders for the office of AJK prime minister. The recently held AJK elections, which occurred in four phases, were mired in controversy as the PPP, a coalition partner of the ruling PML-N at the Centre, accused the party of resorting to massive rigging and violence.