A historical overview of the democratic and parliamentary development of Azad Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly.
Azad Jammu and Kashmir has a Parliamentary Democratic System under which the Prime Minister of AJ&K is the executive head and the President of AJ&K is the constitutional head of the State.
The democratic setup was introduced in 1970 under the presidential system on the basis of adult franchise.
Adult franchise was introduced, and for the first time the people of AJ&K and refugees settled in Pakistan elected the Legislative Assembly and President.
The early assemblies shaped legislation, representation and the constitutional direction of Azad Jammu & Kashmir.
The first elected Assembly consisted of 24 members and one co-opted lady member.
The first Assembly completed its tenure and approved 56 bills of religious and public importance.
The Interim Constitution Act, 1974 introduced the parliamentary system of democracy in the State.
For the first time, the people of AJ&K and the refugees of Jammu and Kashmir settled in Pakistan elected the Legislative Assembly as well as President for Azad Jammu and Kashmir on the basis of adult franchise.
The presidential system worked for four years. Later in 1974, major constitutional changes were made when the Interim Constitution Act, 1974 was adopted and the parliamentary system of democracy was introduced in the State.
A structured timeline showing key assemblies, leadership changes and legislative achievements.
Came into existence under the Interim Constitution Act, 1974. Mr. Khan Abdul Hameed Khan was elected as the first Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, while Sardar Muhammad Ibrahim Khan was elected President.
The Assembly was suspended with effect from August 1977 due to the enforcement of Martial Law in Pakistan.
Elections of the Legislative Assembly were held after Martial Law was lifted. Sardar Sikander Hayat Khan became Prime Minister and Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan became President.
Raja Mumtaz Hussain Rathore was elected Prime Minister while Sardar Mohammad Abdul Qayyum Khan was elected President of AJ&K.
Sardar Mohammad Abdul Qayyum Khan was elected Prime Minister and Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan was elected President. This Assembly approved 145 bills.
Barrister Sultan Mehmood Ch. was elected Prime Minister and Sardar Muhammad Ibrahim Khan was elected President. This Assembly approved 44 bills.
Sardar Sikander Hayat Khan was elected Prime Minister and Maj. General (R) Sardar Mohammad Anwar Khan was elected President. This Assembly approved 78 bills.
General elections were held on 11th July 2006. Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan was elected Prime Minister and Raja Zulqarnain Khan was elected President.
General elections were held on 26th June 2011. Chaudhry Abdul Majeed was elected Prime Minister and Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan was elected President.
General elections were held on 21st July 2016. Raja Farooq Haider Khan was elected Prime Minister and Sardar Masood Khan was elected President.
General elections were held on 25th July 2021. Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan Niazi was elected as 13th Prime Minister, and Sultan Mehmood Chaudhary was elected President.
The Legislative Assembly of AJ&K elected Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore as the 16th Prime Minister on 18th November 2025.
The Assembly currently comprises 53 members, distributed across territorial constituencies, refugees settled in Pakistan and reserved seats.
33 seats
12 seats
5 seats
Ulama & Mushaikh, Overseas Kashmiris and Technocrats: 3 seats.
The Legislative Assembly includes 33 seats from Azad Kashmir, 12 seats for refugees settled in Pakistan, 5 reserved seats for women, and one seat each for Ulama and Mushaikh, Overseas Kashmiris and Technocrats.