Barrister Iftikhar Gillani of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) has been elected as the 'prime minister' of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), securing 30 out of 44 votes in the region's legislative assembly. His election follows recent polls plagued by allegations of widespread rigging and violent protests, further fueling instability in the disputed territory.

  • Barrister Iftikhar Gillani of PML-N secured 30 of 44 votes to become 'PM' of PoK.
  • The election followed polls marred by violent protests and rigging allegations.
  • Gillani was elected on a technocrat seat after losing a direct election.
  • India maintains that PoK is an integral part of its territory, illegally occupied by Pakistan.

On Friday, August 28, 2026, Barrister Iftikhar Ali Gillani was elected to the so-called post of ‘prime minister’ of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). This election follows recent polls that were marred by violent protests and allegations of massive rigging, adding to the political turmoil in the already volatile region. Gillani, belonging to 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, solidifying his victory.

His main 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, 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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PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif had nominated Mr. Gillani for the so-called post of prime minister on Thursday, August 27. It is noteworthy that Mr. Gillani was initially defeated from a seat he contested directly but was later elected to the legislative assembly on a technocrat seat. Out of 53 seats in the PoK legislative assembly, 45 are directly elected, while eight are reserved for women, technocrats, and clerics. The PML-N has so far won 25 seats of the direct elections to 38 constituencies, and the PPP has won 12. The Awami Dast-o-Bazu party won one seat and supported the PML-N. Out of eight reserved seats, PML-N got six and the PPP two.

A large number of people under the banner of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) have been holding protests in PoK since early June, in which several protesters and security officials were killed. The regional government banned the group in June. The JAAC has been protesting against the 12 seats reserved for refugees, and the election of Mr. Gillani may add fuel to the fire as he was elected on a reserved seat after facing defeat on a general seat.

The political developments in PoK are inextricably linked to the broader geopolitical dynamics of the Indian subcontinent. India has consistently maintained that the entire Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral and inalienable parts of its territory. New Delhi also asserts that Pakistan has been in “illegal and forcible occupation” of parts of these Union Territories. This stance lends international significance to any political developments within the region, especially when the legitimacy of the electoral process itself is called into question.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the election of Barrister Iftikhar Gillani, particularly under such contentious circumstances, has significant implications for regional stability. It not only deepens the political fissures within PoK but also complicates the already strained relationship between India and Pakistan. This election also raises questions about the aspirations of the people in the region and the legitimacy of their political representation, especially when allegations of rigging tarnish the electoral process.

The election in PoK, characterized by its disputed nature and allegations of manipulation, reflects a deeper struggle for legitimate governance and territorial control in a highly sensitive region.
Did You Know?: Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is often referred to as 'Azad Jammu and Kashmir' (AJK) by Pakistan, reflecting its claim of self-governance, a status not recognized internationally.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK)?

Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) refers to the part of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir that is administered by Pakistan. India claims it as part of its integral territory, while Pakistan refers to it as 'Azad Jammu and Kashmir' (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan.

2. Why are the recent PoK elections controversial?

The elections were marred by widespread allegations of massive rigging, violent protests, and a significant boycott by local groups like the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), who claim unfair representation and electoral manipulation.