PML-N's Iftikhar Gillani elected as PoK 'prime minister'
Barrister Iftikhar Ali Gillani of the PML-N has been elected as the 'prime minister' of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) following elections marred by violence and rigging allegations. The session saw 44 of 46 present lawmakers vote, with the opposition PPP candidate securing 14 votes.
Why it matters
The election results in this disputed region are highly contentious and have been accompanied by significant civil unrest and political instability.
Barrister Iftikhar Ali Gillani was on Friday (August 28, 2026) elected to the so-called post of ‘prime minister’ of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) following recent elections marred by violent protests and allegations of massive rigging.
Mr. Gillani, of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), secured 30 of the 44 votes in the so-called legislative assembly during its session in Muzaffarabad, the region’s capital.
His challenger, Mukhtar Ahmed of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), secured 14 votes.
The assembly comprises 53 members, but its present strength is 46 because elections for seven seats in Poonch and Sudhnoti districts have yet to be held due to what authorities described as a law and order situation.
Only 44 lawmakers participated in the voting on Friday (August 28) as the speaker did not cast his vote while PML-N regional president Shah Ghulam Qadir skipped the assembly session due to differences with his party.
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