Bilawal welcomes PM’s backing as PPP moves to form GB government

• PPP secures majority with 11 seats in 24-member Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly

• PM Shehbaz invites PPP to form government, saying PML-N to sit in opposition but vote for PPP in government formation

• Governor, deputy speaker posts to go to PML-N under consensus arrangement

• Bilawal terms recognition of PPP mandate a positive democratic step

 ISLAMABAD: PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Friday welcomed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s statement regarding government formation in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) after the Pakistan Peoples Party secured a majority in the 24-member Legislative Assembly.

According to unofficial results (Form-47) of the June 7 elections, the PPP is set to form the government in Gilgit-Baltistan after winning 11 out of 24 seats in the assembly.

چیئرمین بلاول بھٹو زرداری کا پی پی پی پی کے مشترکہ پارلیمانی اجلاس سے خطاب@BBhuttoZardari
مزید پڑھیں: https://t.co/xbSjrpyc2V pic.twitter.com/1es69vZ0Vb

— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) June 12, 2026

As reported by Radio Pakistan, the prime minister assured full support from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) for the PPP in the process of government formation. He said the PML-N has decided to sit on the opposition benches in the GB Legislative Assembly, while its elected members will vote in favour of the PPP to enable it to form the government.

چیئرمین پاکستان پیپلزپارٹی بلاول بھٹو زرداری کا وزیراعظم پاکستان کے گلگت بلتستان میں حکومت سازی کے بیان کا خیرمقدم@BBhuttoZardari
مزید پڑھیں: https://t.co/rzFvBGtS9a pic.twitter.com/SLOsifUdlh

— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) June 12, 2026

In a statement, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said recognition of the PPP’s majority in Gilgit-Baltistan was a continuation of democratic tradition, adding that the prime minister’s invitation to form the government was a “positive step.”

He said that under a consensus arrangement, the posts of governor and deputy speaker in Gilgit-Baltistan would be allocated to the PML-N.

“As a result of a consensus agreement, the positions of governor and deputy speaker of Gilgit-Baltistan will be allocated to the PML-N,” Bilawal was quoted as saying. “The PPP will utilise all its capabilities to serve the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.”

The PPP chairman also thanked the people of Gilgit-Baltistan for placing their trust in the party, saying they had entrusted it with the responsibility of safeguarding their property, employment and constitutional rights.

“The Pakistan Peoples Party will fulfil this responsibility effectively and with dedication,” he said.

A day earlier, delegations of the PPP and PML-N had met in Gilgit-Baltistan to discuss government formation following the elections. Senior leaders from both sides held detailed consultations on political arrangements and power-sharing options.

In a joint understanding, both parties described the talks as a “major breakthrough,” saying proposals had been agreed to be submitted to their respective central leaderships. The discussions also covered broader political cooperation and regional and national issues.

Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had invited the PPP to form the government in Gilgit-Baltistan after it emerged as the leading party in the assembly. He said the PML-N would support the PPP on government formation while sitting on opposition benches, with its members voting in favour of the PPP.

He added that the decision was taken in line with democratic traditions and reflected the PML-N’s longstanding practice of maintaining respectful relations with allied parties.