Pakistan PM's Party Wins Elections In Disputed Kashmir

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's ruling party has won local elections in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League party won 31 of the region's 41-seat assembly in the vote held July 21.

Sharif on July 22 addressed a crowd of supporters in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-held Kashmir, and promised to deliver a new "era of development."

The win gives the premier a boost after months of pressure from his opponents in Pakistan to step down.

Local elections were largely peaceful on July 21, after a "black day" was observed to protest the killing of dozens of civilians during violent protests in Indian-held Kashmir.

Bloody protests were sparked after Indian forces on July 8 killed Burhan Wani, a popular leader of Kashmir's largest rebel group.

Based on reporting by AP and AFP