Najeeb Naqi Khan files papers for AJK presidency

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) nominee Dr Muhammad Najeeb Naqi Khan has submitted his nomination papers for the presidency of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, formally entering the race ahead of the September 24 election.

Dr Naqi filed his papers with Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Ghulam Mustafa Mughal, who is also serving as the returning officer for the presidential election. Several senior PML-N leaders and members of the AJK Legislative Assembly accompanied him.

The nomination process was held on Saturday from 10am to noon. The returning officer is also conducting scrutiny of the nomination papers on the same day. Candidates can withdraw their nominations until 11:30am on September 23, after which the final list will be issued.

Polling for the AJK president is scheduled for September 24 at the Legislative Assembly Secretariat. Voting will take place from 10am to 1pm, followed by counting and announcement of the result on the same day. The president will be elected by members of the AJK Legislative Assembly.

The PML-N nominated Dr Naqi for the constitutional position on September 16. He has previously served as an AJK Assembly member and held several ministerial portfolios, including health, education, information technology, finance, and planning and development.

The presidential office has remained vacant since January following the death of Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry. Legislative Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Tariq Farooq is currently performing the responsibilities of acting president.

The upcoming vote will complete the process of filling the region’s key constitutional offices following the 2026 AJK elections and the formation of the new government.

The PML-N holds a majority in the AJK Assembly after the general elections and subsequently secured several reserved seats. Barrister Iftikhar Gilani was later elected prime minister, while PPP leader Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin became leader of the opposition.