Leaders affirm the commitment to play a positive role in promoting political stability and promoting public welfare
GILGIT-BALTISTAN:
Consultations on the formation of a government in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) began on Friday when delegations from Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) met in Gilgit to discuss the region’s political situation, government formation and other issues of mutual interest, according to a press release.
The PPP delegation comprising General Secretary Syed Nayyar Hussain Bukhari, Qamar Zaman Kaira and Amjad Hussain Advocate received the IPP delegation led by the party’s Central General Secretary Mian Khalid Mahmood. The IPP team also included UK President and former Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan, former Governor Raja Jalal Hussain Maqpoon and UK Secretary General Fatehullah Khan.
During the meeting, both sides held detailed discussions on the formation of the next government in GB, as well as other key political and administrative issues facing the region. Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to promoting political stability, strengthening democratic institutions and promoting public welfare in the UK.
According to the press release, there was consensus that all political stakeholders should move forward through mutual understanding, respect and democratic processes to set GB on a path towards sustainable development and prosperity.
Participants expressed hope that the government formation process, carried out by democratic and political means, would best serve the people of the region.
Both parties agreed to continue consultations in the coming days and reiterated their commitment to work together for political stability, sustainable development and improved public service delivery in Gilgit-Baltistan.
On June 16, four newly elected independent members of the GB Assembly announced their decision to join the IPP after a meeting with party president and federal minister Abdul Aleem Khan.
Read: Four newly elected independent members of GB Assembly join IPP
The legislators who announced their affiliation with the party include Anwar Ali, elected from G-BA-23 Ghanche-II; Dr. Asad Shafiq, selected from G-BA-24 Ghanche-III; Muhammad Dilpazeer, elected from GBA-15 Diamer-I; and Aman Ali Amir, elected from GBA-21 Yasin.
Ten days ago, a broad opposition alliance, including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), rejected the results of the UK election, alleging widespread fraud and manipulation, and announced plans for protests and further political action.
Addressing a press conference, PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan declared the polls “false and bogus” and announced that the party would observe a “black day” in GB on swearing-in day and issue a white paper detailing alleged irregularities.
He claimed that PTI had secured clear victories in at least eight constituencies and had Form-47 results for three seats.
Senate Opposition Leader Raja Nasir Abbas, who also heads the MWM party, alleged large-scale manipulation, citing delays in results and selective dissemination of results as factors that raise serious questions about transparency.
He claimed that an “information blackout” in the region was aimed at hiding facts and accused authorities of depriving PTI candidates of a level playing field.
He alleged political interference, ground-level coercion and engineered defections, saying such practices had distorted the electoral environment.
“Public mandate has been stolen and redistributed,” he said, warning that undermining genuine political leadership could create a dangerous vacuum and erode confidence in the state.
