Bilawal welcomes PM’s support for PPP-led government in Gilgit-Baltistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Friday welcomed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s backing for the formation of a PPP government in Gilgit-Baltistan and thanked him for the move.

According to the unofficial Form-47 results of the June 7 elections, the PPP secured 11 of the 24 seats in the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly and is set to form the government in the region. Radio Pakistan reported that the prime minister assured the PPP of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s full support in the government formation process.

The prime minister said the PML-N had decided to sit on the opposition benches in the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly, but its elected members would vote for the PPP to help it form the government.

In a statement, Bilawal said the acceptance of the PPP’s majority in Gilgit-Baltistan represented a continuation of democratic practice and described the premier’s invitation to form the government as a positive development.

Referring to the understanding reached between the two parties, Bilawal said the governor and deputy speaker positions in Gilgit-Baltistan would go to the PML-N under a consensus arrangement.

Attributing the expected power-sharing formula to the agreement, he said:

“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 also said the PPP would use all available means to serve the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.

“The PPP will utilise all its capabilities to serve the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.”

He separately thanked the people of Gilgit-Baltistan for supporting the PPP, saying their vote had entrusted the party with the responsibility of protecting property rights, employment rights and constitutional rights in the region.

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

A day earlier, delegations of the PPP and PML-N met in Gilgit-Baltistan to discuss proposals for setting up a government after the elections. Leaders from both sides held detailed consultations on possible arrangements.

In its statement on those talks, the PPP described the meeting as a major breakthrough and said both parties had agreed to place the proposals before their respective central leaderships. It added that the discussions also included political cooperation as well as a range of national and regional issues.