India, Aug. 29 -- Barrister Iftikhar Ali Gillani was on Friday elected to the so-called post of prime minister of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) following recent elections marred by violent protests and allegations of massive rigging.

Gillani, of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), secured 30 of the 44 votes in the so-called legislative assembly during its session in Muzaffarabad, the region's capital.

His challenger, Mukhtar Ahmed of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), secured 14 votes. The assembly comprises 53 members, but its present strength is 46 because elections for seven seats in Poonch and Sudhnoti districts have yet to be held due to what authorities described as a law-and-order situation.

Only 44 lawmakers part...