MUZAFFARABAD: Chaudhary Tariq Farooq of the PML-N was elected the 16th Speaker of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly, while his party colleague, Muhammad Ahmed Raza Qadri, was elected Deputy Speaker in elections for the two offices held here on Tuesday.
The session began at 2:30pm with outgoing Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar of the PPP in the chair. Mr Akbar could not retain his seat in the recent general elections. All 46 legislators — 32 from the PML-N and its ally and 14 from the PPP — who had taken oath on Monday participated in the polling.
The PPP had fielded Chaudhry Qasim Majeed and Aamir Abdul Ghaffar Lone for the two offices. Mr Farooq secured 32 votes, while Mr Majeed received 13 votes, with one PPP vote being rejected.
The rejected vote was reportedly cast by PPP lawmaker Zobia Khurshid Raja, who had been elected to a women’s reserved seat through a draw of lots after her votes had equalled those of PML-N candidate Riffat Abid.
Mr Farooq then proceeded to the podium, where Mr Akbar administered the oath to him. The outgoing speaker subsequently removed the traditional speaker’s gown and helped Mr Farooq put it on amid desk-thumping by members.
The newly sworn speaker subsequently conducted the election for deputy speaker, which was won by Mr Qadri with 32 votes.
Mr Lone also secured 13 votes, with one PPP vote being rejected again, prompting speculation within the party about whether the rejection was deliberate rather than accidental. Both Mr Qadri and Mr Lone belong to Kashmiri refugee constituencies.
The PML-N had reportedly earlier decided to field Raja Asif of LA-11 (Sehnsa) for the slot, but he declined the offer. The PPP had initially nominated Zaffar Iqbal Malik of LA-8 (Raj Mahal) before changing its decision and fielding Mr Lone.
Mr Farooq then administered the oath to Mr Qadri as deputy speaker.
Speaking at the conclusion of the session, Mr Farooq thanked members from both sides and said the office demanded impartiality and the ability to take the entire House along. “In a democratic society, the role of opposition is very important. To me, all members carry equal importance regardless of their affiliations and I will ensure they get maximum possible opportunities to voice the sentiments of their electorate and problems of their constituencies concerned,” he said.
“I will leave no stone unturned to maintain the dignity, honour and sanctity of this House,” he vowed.
Since the office of the AJK president has remained vacant since January, Mr Farooq will also serve as acting president, as his predecessor did, until the election of a new president.
Meanwhile, the schedule for the election of the leader of the House was also issued on Tuesday. According to the schedule, nomination papers will be submitted and scrutinised on Thursday, followed by polling the same day. The newly elected leader of the House will take the oath before the acting president at the High Court grounds on Thursday afternoon.
Published in Dawn, August 26th, 2026
