MUZAFFARABAD, June 9: Azad Jammu and Kashmir Jamaat-i-Islami has elected its new Amir after 12 years, it was announced at a press conference here the other day.

Jamaat Election Commissioner Sheikh Aqeelur Rehman told newsmen that the 552-member general council of the party had elected Sardar Ejaz Afzal Khan with a majority of votes from among a panel of three, including the incumbent Amir Abdur Rashid Turabi and Deputy Amir Dr Mohammad Mushtaq Khan.

Mr Turabi was elected JI chief in 1990 following the sudden death of his predecessor Rashid Abbasi, and continued for four consecutive terms.

Mr Afzal, 44, who belongs to Rawalakot and is a practising lawyer, has done his masters in Islamiat and political science. During his student life, he had also been elected as the Nazim of AJK Islami Jamiat Talaba.