‘Unfulfilled desire’: Mushahid Hussain reacts to Nawaz Sharif’s wish to become AJK prime minister

Former Information Minister Mushahid Hussain Sayed claimed on a private news channel’s programme that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif retains a desire to serve as prime minister, following the leader’s speech in Muzaffarabad where he expressed interest in becoming the Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

Speaking on the show hosted by Hamid Mir, Sayed reacted to the address, stating, “Well, one thing is that a Prime Minister is a Prime Minister, whether of Pakistan or Azad Kashmir; the title remains the same. So, it seems there is an unfulfilled desire in Mian Sahib’s heart because he couldn’t become the Prime Minister for the fourth time in 2024.”

Sayed noted that he had suggested in 2024 that the PML-N supreme leader pursue the presidency instead.

Mir outlined the procedural requirements for holding office in the region, noting that Nawaz Sharif would need to register as a Kashmiri refugee, register a vote, and win a by-election.

Sayed responded by referencing election documentation procedures, saying, “Well, we have a formula Form 47! Under its umbrella, everything is possible.” Mir called the comment a “dangerous remark”.

The discussion followed Nawaz Sharif’s address in Muzaffarabad, where he launched PML-N’s campaign for the AJK elections scheduled for July 27 alongside Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Maryam Nawaz.

During the address, Nawaz Sharif recalled a conversation with his daughter on stage, stating, “I was telling Maryam, while Raja Sahib is standing right here, I said, ‘Look Maryam, my heart desires… my heart desires that if we achieve victory in the election… then, God willing, I would like to ask Shehbaz Sharif Sahib to make me, Nawaz Sharif the prime minister of Azad Kashmir.'”

Nawaz Sharif promised that a PML-N government would complete development work and address public matters in the region. He added that he would visit the region every three months to oversee projects, claiming his previous administration doubled the regional budget and promising to expand the funding up to tenfold if elected.