Tariq Farooq named AJK Assembly speaker

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif has nominated party’s Azad Kashmir Secretary General Chaudhry Tariq Farooq for the post of Speaker of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, party sources said on Monday.

According to sources, Chaudhry Tariq Farooq is expected to be elected Speaker of the AJK Legislative Assembly following the formation of the new government in Azad Kashmir.

Sources said that Tariq Farooq would also assume the responsibilities of Acting President of Azad Kashmir after being elected Speaker and would continue to perform the duties until the presidential election is held.

The decision to appoint the Speaker and Acting President was taken after the formation of the government in Azad Kashmir, sources said.

They added that the nomination of Chaudhry Tariq Farooq for the Speaker’s post was made with the approval of PML-N President Nawaz Sharif.

Meanwhile, PML-N leader Shah Ghulam Qadir remains a strong candidate for the office of Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir, according to party sources.

Further decisions regarding the formation of the AJK government and key constitutional offices are expected after consultations within the PML-N.