AJK President Barrister Sultan Mehmood Ch passes away at 71

• Veteran Kashmiri leader dies after prolonged illness in Islamabad
• Funeral prayers to be held tomorrow in Chechian, Mirpur at 3pm
• Former AJK PM served nine terms as assembly member from Mirpur

ISLAMABAD/MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir President Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry passed away at the age of 71 on Tuesday after a prolonged illness, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) media office confirmed.

According to the statement, Chaudhry breathed his last in Islamabad. His funeral prayers will be offered on Sunday (tomorrow) at 3pm in his native village of Chechian, Mirpur.

His demise comes just days before Kashmir Solidarity Day, observed on February 5 each year to reaffirm Pakistan’s unwavering support for the just struggle of the Kashmiri people, a cause he consistently championed at national and international forums.

Born on August 9, 1955, in Chechian, Mirpur, Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry received his early education in his hometown, completed matriculation in Rawalpindi and graduated from Gordon College.

He later earned a Bar-at-Law degree from the United Kingdom.

After returning to Pakistan in 1983, he entered active politics and went on to play a central role in Azad Kashmir’s political landscape for decades.

He served as Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir as well as Leader of the Opposition, and was elected nine times as a member of the Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly from Mirpur.

Over his long political career, he remained affiliated with several major political parties, including the All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference, the Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Azad Kashmir.

He was elected President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir in 2021.

Chaudhry was widely known for forcefully raising the Kashmir issue at international forums.

He presented the Kashmiri case at the United Nations, the European Union and various institutions in the United States, and led large-scale Kashmir marches in London, New York, Brussels, Dublin and Berlin.

He also undertook a historic visit to Indian-administered Kashmir, addressing a gathering at Srinagar’s Lal Chowk, and held meetings with senior Hurriyat leaders, including Syed Ali Gilani and Yasin Malik.

Regarded as a bold and influential voice on Kashmir, Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry enjoyed widespread popularity across Azad Kashmir and remained a key figure in the region’s politics until his death.

Condolences pouring in

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over Barrister Chaudhry’s passing and prayed that Allah grant him forgiveness and a high place in heaven, according to separate statements issued from the Presidency and The Prime Minister’s Office. The premier and president also conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, describing Chaudhry’s national and political services as “invaluable”.

Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gillani also expressed grief, terming the late AJK president a “dignified and principled politician”. He said Chaudhry played a significant role in promoting the Kashmir issue at the international level, adding that his political struggle would remain “a beacon of the way for upcoming generations”. Gillani extended his condolences to the family.

Speaker NA Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, has expressed profound grief and sorrow over the passing away of the President of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry.

In his condolence message, Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq paid rich tribute to the late Barrister Sultan Mahmood… https://t.co/59IiE9JMba

— National Assembly 🇵🇰 (@NAofPakistan) January 31, 2026

National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq likewise expressed sorrow over Chaudhry’s death. In a statement issued by the NA Secretariat, he paid tribute to Chaudhry’s distinguished political and social services, particularly his invaluable contributions in effectively highlighting the Kashmir cause at international forums. He said the late leader’s efforts in advocating for the legitimate rights of the Kashmiri people would always be remembered.