Islamabad: President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Barrister Sultan Mahmood, passed away on Saturday after a prolonged illness, family sources confirmed. He was 71 years old.
The news of his death has triggered deep grief across Azad Kashmir, Pakistan, and among Kashmiris worldwide, with political leaders and citizens paying tribute to his lifelong services.
According to family members, Barrister Sultan Mahmood was under medical treatment in Islamabad. His funeral prayers will be offered on Sunday at 3pm in his ancestral hometown Chechian, Mirpur, after which he will be laid to rest.
Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry was regarded as a strong and vocal advocate of the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination, both at national and international forums.
He was born on August 9, 1955, in Chechian, Mirpur, Azad Kashmir. His political career spanned several decades, during which he held key constitutional positions.
He was elected Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir in 1996, and later became President of AJK in 2021.
Leaders from across the political spectrum have expressed condolences, acknowledging his role in highlighting the Kashmir cause and his contributions to the political development of Azad Kashmir.
