AJK Reform Plan: PML-N leadership urges focus on healthcare, education and infrastructure

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leadership has called for the immediate resolution of public problems in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), with healthcare, education, sanitation and infrastructure identified as key priorities.

PML-N President Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif met newly elected AJK Prime Minister Iftikhar Gilani and Legislative Assembly Speaker Tariq Farooq on Sunday.

According to a party statement, the leadership stressed the need to address the problems facing people in AJK and put the region on a path of modernisation and development.

Nawaz Sharif also shared a 100-day reform plan with Prime Minister Gilani. The plan focuses on improving healthcare, education, sanitation, infrastructure and other public services.

The PML-N said its leadership wanted AJK to pursue development along the lines of Punjab, while Gilani and Farooq thanked the party leadership for expressing confidence in them.

The senior leaders also congratulated the AJK prime minister and speaker and conveyed their best wishes for their new responsibilities.

Barrister Iftikhar Gilani was sworn in as AJK’s 17th prime minister on Friday after securing 30 votes in the Legislative Assembly. Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin was appointed leader of the opposition.

In his maiden speech, Gilani identified employment opportunities as a major priority for his government. He also pledged reforms in education and healthcare, along with plans to digitalise the regional economy and expand internet access across AJK.

The new government took shape after 46 newly elected members of the AJK Legislative Assembly took oath on August 24, formally beginning the new parliamentary term following the 2026 general elections.

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The PML-N emerged as the dominant parliamentary force in the elections, which were held in three phases because of geographical and security considerations.

The first phase covered the 13 constituencies of Mirpur Division. The second phase covered Muzaffarabad Division and 12 refugee constituencies, while polling in Poonch Division took place in the third phase.

Voting in several Poonch constituencies was postponed because of security concerns amid tensions between police and members of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC).

Two Muzaffarabad constituencies also faced delayed polling after heavy rain, landslides and adverse weather prevented election staff and polling material from reaching some polling stations.

The delayed voting was held under heightened security, with the PML-N winning LA-27 Muzaffarabad-I and the PPP securing LA-28 Muzaffarabad-II.

With the election process completed and the new government in place, the PML-N leadership has now placed development and public-service delivery at the centre of its agenda for AJK.