PML-N President Nawaz Sharif has interviewed women candidates seeking the party’s reserved seats in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly as consultations continue over the formation of the next government in the region.

The interviews were held in Murree, where the PML-N leadership reviewed the profiles and political backgrounds of candidates being considered for the assembly’s eight reserved seats. Five of the seats are reserved for women, while the remaining three are allocated to ulema and mashayikh, technocrats, and overseas Kashmiris.

Nawaz reportedly assessed the candidates’ political experience, public service record, and contributions to the party. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, PML-N AJK President Shah Ghulam Qadir, Anosha Rehman, and Rana Sanaullah were also present during the consultations.

The PML-N emerged as the largest parliamentary force in the recently concluded AJK general elections, winning 25 of the 45 directly elected seats, while the PPP secured 12.

With the reserved seats now being finalised, the party has also begun preparations to form the next government. PML-N leadership has given Nawaz Sharif the authority to select the party’s nominee for AJK prime minister.

PML-N AJK President Shah Ghulam Qadir and Secretary General Chaudhry Tariq Farooq are reportedly the leading contenders for the top position. Nawaz is expected to announce the name of the new leader of the house within the coming days.