Barrister Sultan Mahmood Laid to Rest with State Honors for AJK President

MIRPUR / MUZAFFARABAD — Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) bid a final, somber farewell to its President, Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry, who was laid to rest with full state honors on Sunday, February 1, 2026. The 71-year-old veteran leader passed away in Islamabad on Saturday evening following a protracted illness.

The Final Journey

The funeral proceedings reflected the high national standing of the man often called the “Lion of Mirpur”:

• The Procession: After being transported from Islamabad, the late President’s coffin was brought to the Quaid-e-Azam Cricket Stadium in Mirpur on a military gun carriage—a rare honor reserved for heads of state and top military commanders.
• The Ceremony: Draped in the AJK national flag, the coffin was greeted by thousands of mourners. The funeral prayer was led by Qazi Muhammad Rafique, the spiritual leader of Gulhar Sharif, followed by a guard of honor presented by a police contingent.
• Burial: He was laid to rest in his ancestral village, Chechiyan, alongside his parents.

Political Leadership in Attendance

The funeral brought together the top civilian and military leadership of the region:

• Faisal Mumtaz Rathore: The recently elected AJK Prime Minister (who took office in November 2025).
• Chaudhry Latif Akbar: The Speaker of the AJK Legislative Assembly, who has now assumed the role of Acting President.
• Regional Dignitaries: Cabinet members, judges of the superior courts, and the Commander 10 Corps were among those who paid their respects.

Legacy of a “Landmark” Career

Barrister Sultan Mahmood leaves behind a legacy that spanned over four decades of Kashmiri politics:

• Youngest PM: He first rose to the premiership in 1996, becoming the youngest Prime Minister in AJK’s history at the time.
• Kashmir Cause: Known for his international advocacy, he was a vocal critic of Indian atrocities in IIOJK and frequently raised the issue at global forums, including the UN and the UK Parliament.
• Political Pivot: Originally a stalwart of the PPP, he later became the face of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the region, leading them to a majority and becoming President in August 2021.

Administrative Transition

Following the President’s demise, the AJK government has declared three days of official mourning, during which the national flag will fly at half-mast.

• Restraint in Festivities: Information Minister Rafique Nayyar has directed local administrations to ensure “restraint” during the annual Urs of Baba Peera Shah Ghazi (Kharri Sharif), which coincides with the mourning period on February 2-3.
• Interim Governance: Under the AJK Constitution, Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar will perform presidential duties until the Legislative Assembly elects a permanent successor.

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