MQM-P to contest all 24 GB Legislative Assembly seats

KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) said on Saturday that it would field candidates on all 24 seats of the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly in the elections scheduled for June 7.

The announcement was made by senior MQM-P leader Dr Farooq Sattar during a press conference at the party’s temporary headquarters in Bahadurabad.

Dr Sattar also announced that the Baltistan Students Federation (BSF) had merged with the All Pakistan Muttahida Students Organisation (APMSO), which is the student wing of MQM-P. He described the development as a historic step and said it would help end dynastic politics in the region.

He said MQM-P would contest every seat in the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly and added that the party’s candidates would be under 35 years of age.

Referring to the election schedule, Dr Sattar said that April 20 is set as the last date for submission of nomination papers.

Party priorities for Gilgit-Baltistan

Outlining the party’s programme for Gilgit-Baltistan, Dr Sattar said MQM-P’s priorities included setting up medical and engineering universities, improving infrastructure and launching hydropower projects to address the region’s electricity problems.

He also said the party would not accept any new taxes on minerals and mining resources. Calling such measures unjust, he said the taxation imposed on the region’s natural wealth was unacceptable.

Dr Sattar further called for the immediate withdrawal of the Rs640 billion annual petroleum levy, saying the move would provide direct relief to the public.

Other remarks at the press conference

During the media talk, Dr Sattar praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir for their efforts to restore peace.

He also criticised the Pakistan Peoples Party government in Sindh and said that 18 years of what he termed democracy in the province had resulted only in corruption and injustice.

Those present at the press conference included BSF president Ahtisham, parliamentarians and members of APMSO’s central cabinet.

The Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly elections are set to be held on June 7.