PM reaffirms support for newly-elected GB government, unveils development roadmap

• Premier Shehbaz pledges close federal cooperation with GB administration for region’s welfare and progress

• Congratulates Chief Minister Amjad Hussain on assuming office during Islamabad meeting

• Terms renewable energy, tourism, infrastructure, health and education projects among key priorities

• Danish schools, 100MW solar project and Pakistan Asaan Khidmat Centres planned for GB

 ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday reaffirmed the federal government's commitment to work closely with the newly elected Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) administration to accelerate the region’s development and improve the welfare of its people, announcing plans for major initiatives in renewable energy, tourism, infrastructure, health and education, alongside flagship projects including Danish schools, a 100-megawatt solar project and Pakistan Asaan Khidmat Centres.

The prime minister made the remarks during a meeting with Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Amjad Hussain, who called on him at the Prime Minister House in Islamabad, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

اسلام آباد: 21 جولائی 2026۔

وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف سے وزیر اعلیٰ گلگت بلتستان امجد حسین کی آج اسلام آباد میں ملاقات ہوئی. وزیراعظم نے امجد حسین کو وزیر اعلیٰ گلگت بلتستان کا عہدہ سنبھالنے پر مبارکباد پیش کی. ملاقات میں وزیرِ اعظم اور وزیر اعلیٰ گلگت بلتستان کے مابین گلگت… pic.twitter.com/NcXovYasxs

— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) July 21, 2026

Congratulating the newly elected chief minister on assuming office, PM Shehbaz assured him that the federal government was fully committed to working with the new GB administration for the welfare and well-being of the people of the region.

According to the PMO statement, the prime minister said the government was planning a series of key development projects across Gilgit-Baltistan, including initiatives in renewable energy, tourism, infrastructure, health and education, to ensure sustained progress and prosperity in the region.

وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف سے وزیر اعلیٰ گلگت بلتستان امجد حسین کی ملاقات

وزیراعظم نے کہا کہ وفاقی حکومت گلگت بلتستان کے عوام کی فلاح و بہبود کے لیے نو منتخب حکومت کے ساتھ مل کر کام کرنے کے لیے پُرعزم ہے۔ وفاقی حکومت گلگت بلتستان کی فلاح و بہبود کے لیے قابلِ تجدید توانائی، سیاحت،… pic.twitter.com/NNDbRXmTir

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) July 21, 2026

Highlighting the government's priorities, the prime minister said Danish schools and a 100-megawatt solar energy project were among the federal government's flagship initiatives for Gilgit-Baltistan.

He added that the government was also planning to establish Pakistan Asaan Khidmat Centres (PAKC) in Gilgit-Baltistan to facilitate residents and improve access to public services.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema also attended the meeting.

On June 22, PPP-nominated candidate Amjad Hussain was elected unopposed as chief minister of the region, while the PML-N’s Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman was elected as the leader of the opposition. The PPP-backed chief minister secured the support of at least 28 members from the PPP, the PML-N and the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party in the 33-member house.

The first session of the assembly saw 30 members take the oath, followed by the election of the two key constitutional offices of speaker and deputy speaker.

PPP’s Imran Nadeem, a newly elected member of the GB Assembly from Shigar district, was declared elected as speaker after no other candidate submitted nomination papers for the post within the stipulated time.

The 33-member assembly comprises 24 general seats, six reserved seats for women, and three seats for technocrats and professionals. Although all nine reserved seats have been allocated, the Gilgit-Baltistan Election Commission has so far issued notifications for only 21 of the 24 general seats, taking the total number of notified members to 30.

The party position in the house has also become clear. The PPP Parliamentary Group holds 13 seats, including nine general seats, three women’s seats and one technocrat seat. The PML-N has nine seats, comprising six general seats, two women’s seats and one technocrat seat.

The Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party holds six seats, including four general seats, one women’s seat and one technocrat seat, while the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) has one general seat. There is also one general seat held by a PTI-backed independent candidate. The results of three general seats from Diamer and Skardu have yet to be notified due to ongoing legal and electoral proceedings.