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World / Asia

Pakistan-held Kashmir elects Imran Khan ally as new chief

Published: 20 Apr 2023 - 05:18 pm | Last Updated: 20 Apr 2023 - 05:20 pm
An Indian security personnel searches the bag of a pedestrian during a random search in Srinagar on April 20, 2023. (Photo by Tauseef Mustafa / AFP)

An Indian security personnel searches the bag of a pedestrian during a random search in Srinagar on April 20, 2023. (Photo by Tauseef Mustafa / AFP)

AP

ISLAMABAD: A lawmaker from the party of Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan was elected to the top post in the Pakistani-administered section of Kashmir on Thursday, officials said.

Local lawmakers elected Anwarul Haq to replace Tanveer Ilyas, who was removed as the territory's chief last week by a court for insulting judges. Haq is from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf opposition party of former premier Khan, who was ousted from power last April.

Since then, Khan has led protests against the current national government that has thrust the country into a political crisis.

Kashmir's disputed Himalayan region is split between Pakistan and India but claimed by both in their entirety. The South Asian powers have fought two wars over Kashmir since gaining independence from British colonial rule in 1947.