PTI's Abdul Qayyum Niazi sworn in as new AJK PM

Dunya News

AJK President Sardar Muhammad Masood Khan administered the oath to him at a ceremony.

MUZAFFARABAD (Dunya News) – Sardar Abdul Qayyum Niazi of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) took oath as new Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday. 

AJK President Sardar Muhammad Masood Khan administered the oath to him at a ceremony.

Earlier today, PTI s Abdul Qayyum Niazi had been elected as new Prime Minister (PM) of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

AJK Legislative Assembly had met today under the supervision of Speaker Anwar-ul-Haq to elect the PM. During the session, the newly-elected members of the assembly used their voting right to finalize the premier.

PTI’s Abdul Qayyum Niazi emerged victorious by grabbing 33 votes while opposition’s Chaudhry Latif Akbar faced defeat as he only managed to take 15 votes.

Earlier, in a statement, Prime Minister (PM) of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Abdul Qayyum Niazi had pledged to ensure rule of law by following the vision of PM Imran Khan.

Abdul Qayyum Niazi said that efforts will be carried out to free occupied Kashmir. The situation is under control due to the effective strategies of Imran Khan for ceasefire, he added.

AJK PM further welcomed opposition leaders in the assembly and hoped for better future of the region.

The remarks came after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) candidate Abdul Qayyum Niazi emerged victorious in AJK PM election by grabbing 33 votes while opposition’s Chaudhry Latif Akbar faced defeat as he only managed to take 15 votes.

Earlier, PTI nominees Anwar-ul-Haq and Riaz Gujjar had become Speaker and Deputy Speaker of AJK Legislative Assembly.

Anwar-ul-Haq grabbed 32 votes and defeated opposition parties’ Faisal Rathore on speaker position. PTI’s Chaudhry Riaz Gujjar got 32 votes for deputy speaker post while Nisara Abbasi of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) got 15 votes.

Outgoing speaker Shah Ghulam Qadir also administered the oath to the newly-elected members of AJK Legislative Assembly.

It is to be mentioned here that PTI became largest political party in Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly in the recently-held elections on July 25. The party will form a government in the region as it has managed to secure a total number of 32 seats (including reserved seats).

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) won 12 seats while PML-N grabbed seven seats in the AJKLA.