Iftikhar Ali Gilani Takes Oath as Azad Kashmir PM, Vows Jobs and Better Governance
MUZAFFARABAD, August 28, 2026: Barrister Syed Iftikhar Ali Gilani has officially assumed office as the newly elected Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir after taking oath at a ceremony held at the President House in Muzaffarabad.
Acting President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Chaudhry Tariq Farooq administered the oath to the newly elected prime minister.
The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah, Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Dr. Ibad, former AJK prime minister Raja Muhammad Farooq Haider Khan, Hurriyat leader Ghulam Muhammad Safi, members of the legislative assembly, senior government officials, police officers and representatives of civil society.
Earlier, the Chief Secretary read out the official notification confirming Gilani’s election as prime minister.
In his first address after taking oath, Barrister Gilani thanked Pakistan Muslim League leadership, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Rana Sanaullah, Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Dr. Ibad, Raja Farooq Haider, Chaudhry Tariq Farooq and members of the assembly for their support and confidence.
He pledged to work tirelessly to meet the expectations of both the leadership and the people of Azad Kashmir.
Calling for cooperation from all members of the assembly, Gilani said his government would work collectively to build an Azad Kashmir that could become a model of development.
He identified governance, unemployment, healthcare, education and food security as key areas requiring immediate attention. The new prime minister said his government would take practical steps to expand employment opportunities and improve hospitals and public services.
Barrister Gilani also highlighted the combination of experienced and young members within the Muslim League team, expressing confidence that Azad Kashmir’s development would become an example for the rest of Pakistan.
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Barrister Syed Iftikhar Ali Gilani Takes Oath as Azad Kashmir Prime Minister