The newly elected members of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Council have taken oath.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who is also the Chairman of the Council, administered the oath at a ceremony in Islamabad today.

Those who took the oath included Chaudhry Latif Akbar, Mushtaq Minhas, Chaudhry Saeed and Chaudhry Manzoor.

Addressing the ceremony, the Prime Minister congratulated the four newly elected members of the AJK Council and expressed the hope that they would play their role in the best interests of Azad Kashmir.

The Prime Minister said the AJK Council serves as a bridge between Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan. He said that, as head of the Council, he has the honour of working with its members to further strengthen this bridge and make collective efforts for the development and prosperity of Azad Kashmir.

Shehbaz Sharif urged the President and the Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir to fully exercise their constitutional roles for the development and prosperity of the region and to resolve public issues through consultation and mutual cooperation.

The Prime Minister assured that the Federal Government will mobilise all available resources to further strengthen development activities in Azad Kashmir.

He said efforts will be made to provide educational and healthcare institutions, as well as basic facilities, to the people at their doorsteps.

Referring to some unfortunate incidents in Azad Kashmir in recent months, the Prime Minister said all concerned had been urged to resolve the issues through dialogue.

He recalled that an All Parties Conference was convened in Muzaffarabad, where extensive discussions were held. He said it was agreed that, following the new elections, any legislation or decision taken by the elected Assembly through consensus or majority would be respected.

The Prime Minister said, however, that this sincere advice was not accepted, and the law subsequently took its course.

He said the state had to fulfil its political and legal responsibility in the face of activities aimed against the country and the interests of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

The Prime Minister reiterated that, under the leadership of his leader Nawaz Sharif, efforts will be made to undertake projects that the people of Azad Kashmir will remember in the years to come.

He expressed confidence that an era of development and prosperity will dawn in Azad Kashmir.

The Prime Minister also lauded the Pakistan Armed Forces and security forces for their role in last year's Marka-e-Haq under the leadership of Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.