Former GB Chief Minister Quits Party, Announces Joining Aleem Khan-led Party
Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Haji Gulbar Khan. Photo: File
ISLAMABAD:
Istehkam Pakistan Party (IPP) formally entered Gilgit-Baltistan’s political scene on Tuesday after 14 influential figures led by former Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan quit Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and announced joining the Aleem Khan-led party.
The announcement was made during a press conference in Islamabad which was attended by former Governor Raja Jalal Maqpoon, former Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan, former Leader of Opposition Captain (retd) Shafi, former Minister Fatehullah Khan, Haji Shah Baig, Shamsullah Haq, Maulana Sultan Rais, former Minister Dilshad Bano and other political leaders.
Welcoming the new entrants, IPP President Aleem Khan said this was the party’s first formal step into Gilgit-Baltistan politics and confirmed that the IPP would contest the upcoming Gilgit-Baltistan elections for the first time.
Rejecting allegations of disloyalty to the PTI, Aleem Khan said he had not rebelled against the party, adding that he himself had been betrayed. Addressing the gathering, Aleem Khan said that Gilgit-Baltistan had the potential to become one of the world’s leading tourist destinations.
He stressed that the welfare of the region’s people would remain the IPP’s top priority. “The party will pursue a new, positive and tolerance-based policy and commit to generating development funds through local resources instead of relying on federal handouts,” he said.
Highlighting tourism opportunities, Aleem Khan announced plans to establish five-star hotels and said no additional taxes would be imposed on the local population. He added that international flights from Skardu Airport had already helped boost tourism.
