Muzaffarabad: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) nominee Barrister Syed Iftikhar Ali Gilani has won the election for prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir after securing 30 votes in the Legislative Assembly.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate Sardar Mukhtar Ahmed Khan received 14 votes in the election.

The development is particularly notable because both candidates had also contested against each other in the recent general elections, in which Iftikhar Gilani was defeated. Despite losing the general seat, the PML-N brought him back into the Legislative Assembly through a technocrat reserved seat, where he secured victory on August 24 with 26 votes.

According to available information, the PML-N and its coalition partners hold a clear numerical majority in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, paving the way for Gilani’s election as prime minister.

Who Is Iftikhar Gilani?

Barrister Syed Iftikhar Ali Gilani belongs to a prominent political family from Muzaffarabad. He received his early education in Islamabad before travelling to the United Kingdom for higher education, where he obtained a Bar-at-Law degree.

After returning to Pakistan, Gilani practiced law in Islamabad for around a decade, gaining experience in constitutional and legal matters.

His formal political career began with the PML-N. He was first elected to the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly in the 2011 general elections. He retained his position in the 2016 elections and became a member of the assembly for a second term.

Defeat in General Election, Return Through Reserved Seat

In the 2026 general elections, Iftikhar Gilani contested from LA-29 Muzaffarabad-III as a PML-N candidate but was defeated by PPP candidate Sardar Mukhtar Ahmed Khan.

The PML-N subsequently nominated him for a technocrat reserved seat. In the election held on August 24, Gilani secured 26 votes, while the PPP candidate received 12 votes.

Within weeks of losing the general election, Gilani returned to the Legislative Assembly and has now secured the highest executive office in Azad Kashmir.

Internal Differences Over His Nomination

Gilani’s nomination for the office of prime minister also exposed differences within the PML-N’s Azad Kashmir chapter.

Party president Shah Ghulam Qadir and former prime minister Raja Farooq Haider had expressed reservations over his nomination. According to reports, both leaders had also announced that they would not support Gilani.

Despite the reservations, the PML-N’s central leadership retained Gilani as its candidate for prime minister. He ultimately secured 30 votes and was elected leader of the house.

After assuming office, Gilani will face the challenge of running the government while also addressing differences within his own party and bringing various political factions together.

Who Is Iftikhar Gilani?

Barrister Syed Iftikhar Ali Gilani belongs to a prominent political family from Muzaffarabad. He received his early education in Islamabad before travelling to the United Kingdom for higher education, where he obtained a Bar-at-Law degree.

After returning to Pakistan, Gilani practiced law in Islamabad for around a decade, gaining experience in constitutional and legal matters.

His formal political career began with the PML-N. He was first elected to the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly in the 2011 general elections. He retained his position in the 2016 elections and became a member of the assembly for a second term.

During Raja Farooq Haider’s government, Gilani was appointed education minister. During his tenure, efforts were made to promote merit-based recruitment of teachers and the National Testing Service system, along with reforms and improvements in governance within the education department.

Defeat in General Election, Return Through Reserved Seat

In the 2026 general elections, Iftikhar Gilani contested from LA-29 Muzaffarabad-III as a PML-N candidate but was defeated by PPP candidate Sardar Mukhtar Ahmed Khan.

The PML-N subsequently nominated him for a technocrat reserved seat. In the election held on August 24, Gilani secured 26 votes, while the PPP candidate received 12 votes.

Within weeks of losing the general election, Gilani returned to the Legislative Assembly and has now secured the highest executive office in Azad Kashmir.

Internal Differences Over His Nomination

Gilani’s nomination for the office of prime minister also exposed differences within the PML-N’s Azad Kashmir chapter.

Party president Shah Ghulam Qadir and former prime minister Raja Farooq Haider had expressed reservations over his nomination. According to reports, both leaders had also announced that they would not support Gilani.

Despite the reservations, the PML-N’s central leadership retained Gilani as its candidate for prime minister. He ultimately secured 30 votes and was elected leader of the house.

After assuming office, Gilani will face the challenge of running the government while also addressing differences within his own party and bringing various political factions together.