Dr Najeeb Naqi elected Azad Jammu and Kashmir president

MUZAFFARABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Dr Najeeb Naqi was elected president of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Thursday after securing 32 votes in the presidential election held at the AJK Legislative Assembly in Muzaffarabad.

Voting began at 11am, with members of the assembly casting their ballots to elect the new president. The assembly session was subsequently adjourned until 1pm before the polling process was completed and ballot counting began in the presence of polling agents.

Naqi secured 32 votes, while Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate Chaudhry Latif Akbar received 13 votes, giving the PML-N candidate a clear majority in the election.

Naqi, who belongs to the PML-N’s AJK chapter, will now assume the constitutional office following the completion of the electoral process.

Akbar, the PPP candidate, has previously held key constitutional positions in AJK. He has served as acting president of the region and also as speaker of the AJK Legislative Assembly. He contested the presidential election against Naqi after being defeated in the general elections, according to the information provided.

The election followed the completion of the voting process in the legislative assembly, with polling agents present during the counting of ballots. The results were subsequently announced after the votes were tallied.

Oath-taking ceremony scheduled

The newly elected president is scheduled to take oath later on Thursday at the President’s House in Muzaffarabad.

The oath-taking ceremony is expected to be attended by political leaders, government officials, lawmakers and other invited guests. Invitations for the ceremony have already been distributed.

Naqi’s election comes as the PML-N secures the presidency of AJK through the assembly vote, with the party’s candidate defeating the PPP nominee by a margin of 19 votes.

Supporters celebrate outside assembly

Meanwhile, celebrations broke out outside the AJK Legislative Assembly following the announcement of Naqi’s victory.

A large number of people gathered outside the assembly secretariat, while PML-N workers celebrated the result by beating drums and distributing sweets among supporters and members of the public. Flower petals were also showered as supporters welcomed the election of Naqi as the new president.

With the completion of the presidential election, Naqi is set to formally assume the office after taking the oath later in the day.