World News
Lawmakers in Pakistan-administered Kashmir elect ruling party candidate as prime minister
Syed Iftikhar Ali Gillani of the Pakistan Muslim League-N won the assembly vote following phased regional elections.
The short version
- Syed Iftikhar Ali Gillani was elected prime minister of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, securing 30 of 44 votes cast in the regional assembly.
- Gillani's victory marks the return to regional power for Pakistan's ruling Pakistan Muslim League-N party after a decade.
- The election follows phased legislative polls conducted amid security concerns and a ongoing boycott campaign by the banned Joint Awami Action Committee.
Key facts
- Syed Iftikhar Ali Gillani won the prime ministerial vote in the regional legislative assembly with 30 votes, defeating rival Mukhtar Ahmed Abbasi of the Pakistan People's Party, who received 14 votes.[Associated Press]
- Gillani represents the Pakistan Muslim League-N, returning the ruling national party to power in the region after 10 years.[Associated Press]
- The regional legislative elections were conducted in phases due to security issues linked to a boycott call and ongoing rallies by the outlawed Joint Awami Action Committee.[Associated Press]
- Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Gillani following the assembly vote.[Associated Press]