Party tickets for AJK polls: PML-N parliamentary board conducts interviews of candidates

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif completed interviews for party candidates desirous for the PML-N tickets for the Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections.

The PML-N’s parliamentary board meeting was held at the PML-N Secretariat. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Maryam Nawaz and party leaders attended the meeting.

Over 206 candidates from 45 constituencies in AJK appeared before the parliamentary board. In the process, every candidate was given only two to three minutes to speak before the board, while party board members questioned them about their loyalty to the party and their public popularity within their constituencies.

The final decision regarding the distribution of election tickets would be made by Nawaz Sharif, with successful candidates expected to receive official party tickets within the next 30 days.

Sources said that the Nawaz Sharif will visit Azad Jammu and Kashmir in mid-June to take part in the party’s election campaign ahead of the upcoming regional polls. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz is also expected to visit Azad Kashmir.

Addressing the parliamentary board meeting, Nawaz Sharif said he had a deep emotional connection with the people of Kashmir.

“I am myself a Kashmiri, and love for Kashmiris runs in my blood,” he said, adding that he would personally visit Azad Kashmir to seek votes for party candidates. He also expressed confidence that the PML-N would form the government in Azad Kashmir, similar to its position in the federal government and Punjab.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026