PPP steps up contacts to form Gilgit-Baltistan government

ISLAMABAD: Political activity has intensified in Gilgit-Baltistan after the Pakistan Peoples Party emerged as the largest group in the regional assembly and began efforts to secure support for forming the next government.

According to party and political sources, the PPP has approached Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen as part of its bid to build a working majority in the 24-member house. The party has also formally invited MWM to join the proposed government arrangement, though the sources said no positive response had been received so far.

In parallel contacts, the sources said MWM leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas got in touch with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Barrister Gohar over the developing political situation. Barrister Gohar has been briefed on the ongoing consultations and discussions, according to the sources.

Final results and party positions

The outreach comes after the completion of election results in Gilgit-Baltistan. The PPP secured 11 seats to become the largest party in the assembly, while the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz won six seats. The Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party became the third-largest parliamentary group after four independent winners joined it. MWM won one seat, while two independents backed by PTI were also elected.

Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Election Commissioner Raja Shahbaz Khan said the results for all 24 general seats had been finalised after pending election petitions were decided. He said notifications for the successful candidates would be issued once procedural requirements were completed.

Raja Shahbaz Khan also said the nine reserved seats, comprising six for women and three for technocrats, would be allocated under proportional representation on the basis of each party’s strength in the assembly.

Debate over electoral process

The Election Commission’s announcement came amid continuing debate over the conduct of the electoral process. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has raised questions over the suspension of re-polling in five constituencies and the subsequent release of final results, and has called for greater transparency and clarity in the decision-making process.

Political alignments have also shifted in the post-election period. Four independent members returned from different constituencies have already joined the IPP after meetings with its leadership, altering the balance within the assembly.

National-level coordination

At the national level, the post-election outcome has led to coordination between major parties. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the PPP on emerging as the leading party in Gilgit-Baltistan and indicated that the PML-N would sit on the opposition benches while backing the PPP in forming the government.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari welcomed the move and described it as a continuation of democratic norms. He also thanked the PML-N for its cooperation and said the PPP would concentrate on governance issues and public concerns in the region.