MUZAFFARABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has picked its Azad Kashmir chapter president, Shah Ghulam Qadir, as its nominee for the office of prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, capping off a round of internal party deliberations.
The decision took shape during a consultative session held last week at Raiwind, chaired by PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz were also present at the gathering, where party leadership settled on Shah Ghulam Qadir to head the incoming AJK government.
Path to the AJK Prime Minister’s Office
Shah Ghulam Qadir is set to be formally elected leader of the house in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Thursday, August 27. His swearing-in ceremony has been scheduled for 5pm that same day at the High Court Ground.
His nomination arrives on the back of more than 30 years in electoral and parliamentary politics, a record that places him among the most experienced political figures in the region. He has won a seat in the AJK Legislative Assembly on seven separate occasions and has twice held the position of assembly speaker, first in 2006 and again in 2016.
Over the course of his career, he has also overseen several important ministries, including finance, planning and development, food, and information.
A Political Career Rooted in the Kashmir Cause
Shah Ghulam Qadir entered politics through the Muslim Conference before going on to become one of the founding figures of PML-N’s Azad Kashmir wing. Within the party, he has taken a leading role in restructuring efforts, political outreach initiatives, and groundwork for upcoming elections.
His political engagement has extended well beyond AJK’s assembly halls. He has represented the Kashmir cause at international platforms such as the United Nations General Assembly and the UN Human Rights Council, consistently pushing for the right to self-determination for the Kashmiri people.
He has also spoken up for Kashmiri refugees residing in Pakistan and has remained a vocal advocate on issues tied to the broader Kashmir cause. His political philosophy is generally described as anchored in Kashmir’s accession to Pakistan, adherence to constitutional democracy, parliamentary supremacy, and institutional continuity.
Ties to various political factions, including the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, along with his fluency in the Kashmiri language, have further cemented his standing within AJK’s political landscape.
Why PML-N Chose an Experienced Hand
Observers see the nomination of Shah Ghulam Qadir as AJK prime minister as a reflection of PML-N’s preference for seasoned leadership at this stage. His seven successful election bids, tenure across multiple key ministries, and two terms as legislative assembly speaker are widely expected to give his prospective government a stable footing.
Analysts also point to his deep-rooted parliamentary background and close working relationship with political leadership in Islamabad as factors that could prove valuable as the new AJK administration takes shape.