MUZAFFARABAD: Elections for the speaker and deputy speaker of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly concluded on Thursday, with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidates Chaudhry Tariq Farooq and Ahmad Raza Qadri securing comfortable victories in the 46-member House.

Chaudhry Tariq Farooq, belonging to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), was elected speaker with 32 votes. His opponent, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate Qasim Majeed, received 13 votes, while one vote was rejected. The election was held at the Assembly Secretariat, where outgoing Speaker Chaudhry Muhammad Latif Akbar administered the oath to the newly elected speaker.

Speaking on a point of order, Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, former prime minister Raja Muhammad Farooq Haider, Chaudhry Muhammad Yasin Khan and Abdul Majid Khan lauded the services of the outgoing speaker. They paid rich tribute to his contributions to the Kashmir freedom movement, regional development, promotion of merit and justice, and his exemplary role as the custodian of the House.

In his farewell address, the outgoing speaker congratulated Chaudhry Tariq Farooq and extended his best wishes for his tenure. Later, in the election for deputy speaker, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) candidate Ahmad Raza Qadri secured a resounding victory with 32 votes, while his opponent received 13 votes.