PPP, PML-N strike power-sharing deal to form GB govt

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) said on Friday it had reached a power-sharing understanding with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) for the formation of a government in Gilgit-Baltistan.

In a statement, the PPP said the two parties had agreed by consensus to set up the government through political cooperation. Their respective party organisations had settled the proposed arrangement after consultations.

Under the formula announced by the PPP, the office of the Gilgit-Baltistan chief minister will go to the PPP, while the governorship will be held by the PML-N. The statement added that the opposition leader in the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly would be from the PML-N, which would also get the office of deputy speaker.

Later, the PML-N also announced support for the arrangement, saying it would vote for the PPP’s candidate for leader of the house in the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly. Speaking at a press conference alongside PPP leaders, PML-N Gilgit-Baltistan president Hafeezur Rehman said his party would back the PPP for the positions of leader of the house and speaker. He added that the offices of governor and deputy speaker would go to the PML-N under the agreed formula.

PPP Gilgit-Baltistan president Amjad Hussain Advocate said Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari would decide matters relating to any alliance with the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP).

Seat position after notification

The announcement came a day after the Election Commission of Gilgit-Baltistan issued a notification regarding successful candidates in 21 of the 24 constituencies.

The PPP emerged as the largest party with nine seats, followed by the PML-N with six seats and the IPP with four seats. The IPP had not won any seat directly in the election, but four independent candidates joined the party during a meeting with Communications Minister and IPP President Abdul Aleem Khan on June 16.

Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen secured one seat, while one independent candidate also won a seat, according to the notified results.

The Election Commission of Gilgit-Baltistan said results for GBA-9 Skardu-3, GBA-15 Diamer-1 and GBA-17 Diamer-3 would be announced later.