MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Jam­mu and Kashmir Prime Minister Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore and Leader of the Opposition Shah Ghulam Qadir on Monday resolved to complete the consultation process for the appointment of the chief election commissioner (CEC) within one week.

The consensus was reached at a meeting between the duo in Kash­mir House in Islamabad, during which they also reviewed mat­ters of mutual concern and the overall political situation in the region.

According to an official statement, the two leaders agreed that all political parties would be taken on board before a final name for the CEC is forwarded.

They further concurred that the forthcoming general elections in AJK would be held on schedule, with both the government and the opposition committing to fulfil their respective responsibilities to ensure that the polls remain free, fair and impartial.

Mr Qadir was designated leader of the opposition on December 1 after 10 opposition lawmakers — nine of them from the PML-N, which he heads as its regional president — proposed his name for the slot, nearly two weeks after the change of government in AJK.

Three days after assuming office, Mr Qadir had written to the prime minister, urging him to initiate the mandatory consultation for the CEC’s appointment, following which the meeting was held.

The post of CEC has been ly­­ing vacant since January.

Published in Dawn, December 9th, 2025