MUZAFFARABAD: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly will meet on August 24 as the newly elected house moves towards completing the process of forming the new government.
The session will begin at 2pm at the Civil Secretariat in Muzaffarabad, according to sources. The assembly is expected to take up the process for the election of the new speaker and deputy speaker, with the schedule for submitting nomination papers and other formalities likely to be announced during the session.
The session comes after the Election Commission scheduled polling for eight reserved seats on August 24. These include five seats for women and one each for religious scholars, overseas Kashmiris and technocrats/professionals.
In the direct elections held so far, PML-N has emerged as the largest party with 25 seats, while the PPP has won 12 seats. An independent lawmaker elected on the Awami Dast-o-Bazu platform has also joined PML-N, taking the party and its allied strength to 26.
The remaining reserved seats could further shape the balance of power in the assembly and the formation of the next government. PML-N is seeking to strengthen its position through the reserved-seat elections.
Following the election of the speaker and deputy speaker, the assembly is expected to move towards regular parliamentary proceedings and the next stages of government formation.
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