Islamabad:The newly elected members of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Council have taken their oaths of office. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who serves as the Chairman of the Council, administered the oath at a ceremony.

According to Radio Pakistan, the members who took the oath include Chaudhry Latif Akbar, Mushtaq Minhas, Chaudhry Saeed, and Chaudhry Manzoor. During the ceremony, Prime Minister Sharif congratulated the new members and expressed hope that they would contribute positively to the interests of Azad Kashmir.

The Prime Minister highlighted the role of the AJK Council as a vital link between Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan. He emphasized his commitment to working with council members to strengthen this connection and advance development and prosperity in the region.

Shehbaz Sharif called on the President and the Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir to use their constitutional roles effectively for regional development and to address public issues through cooperation and consultation. He assured that the Federal Government would utilize all available resources to bolster development efforts in Azad Kashmir, focusing on education, healthcare, and basic facilities.

Referring to recent incidents in Azad Kashmir, the Prime Minister mentioned that dialogue had been encouraged to resolve issues. An All Parties Conference in Muzaffarabad resulted in a consensus that decisions by the elected Assembly would be respected. However, he noted that this advice was not heeded, leading to legal actions.

The Prime Minister affirmed that the state would continue to fulfill its responsibilities against activities threatening the country's and Azad Jammu and Kashmir's interests. He reiterated the goal of achieving lasting development under Nawaz Sharif's leadership and expressed confidence in a prosperous future for Azad Kashmir.

Additionally, the Prime Minister praised the Pakistan Armed Forces and security forces for their contributions during the previous year's Marka-e-Haq, under the leadership of Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.