AJK President Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry has died at the age of 71.

Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry, President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, has died at the age of 71, as reported by the media office of the Pakistan Peoples Party on Saturday.

His demise has concluded a political career that extended over several decades, during which he was a pivotal role in the leadership and government of Azad Kashmir.

The PPP statement indicates that Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry passed away in Islamabad following a protracted illness. The funeral prayers will be conducted on Sunday at 3 PM in his hometown of Chichiyan, situated in the Mirpur district.

Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry was initially elected as the Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir in 1996 and subsequently took office as the President of AJK in 2021. Throughout his political career, he was elected nine times to the Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly from Mirpur, demonstrating his enduring political influence and electoral backing in the region.

His demise occurs merely days prior to Kashmir Solidarity Day, commemorated annually on February 5, when the nation reaffirms its support for the Kashmiri populace and their entitlement to self-determination.

President Asif Ali Zardari conveyed profound sorrow on Chaudhry’s demise, extending prayers for his absolution and ascension in the hereafter. In a statement from the Presidency, President Zardari expressed condolences to the grieving family and characterized Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry’s contributions to the nation and politics as important.

Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gillani offered condolences about the passing of the AJK president, characterizing him as a dignified, moral politician and an adept administrator. He stated that Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry significantly contributed to elevating the Kashmir problem on the international stage and remarked that his political endeavors would continue to motivate future generations. Gillani additionally expressed his condolences to the bereaved family.