GILGIT (MNN); Four newly elected independent members of the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly have joined the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) following a meeting with the party’s president, Abdul Aleem Khan.
The lawmakers who joined the party include Anwar Ali from GBA-23 Ghanche-II, Dr Asad Shafiq from GBA-24 Ghanche-III, Muhammad Dilpazeer from GBA-15 Diamer-I, and Aman Ali Amir from GBA-21 Ghizer.
Abdul Aleem Khan, who also serves as a federal minister, announced the development through his social media account and congratulated the newly affiliated members. He described the party’s first-ever representation in the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly as a positive development and pledged that the IPP would actively contribute to the region’s progress through hard work and transparent governance.
In the June 7 Gilgit-Baltistan elections, the IPP had fielded candidates in 16 constituencies but failed to secure any seats. However, the inclusion of four independent legislators has now provided the party with a foothold in the regional assembly.
Political observers believe the support of these independent members could prove important in the formation of the next Gilgit-Baltistan government.
Meanwhile, efforts to form a government in the region continue. Last week, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari welcomed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s statement regarding government formation in Gilgit-Baltistan and thanked him for his support.
According to Radio Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif assured the PPP of the PML-N’s cooperation in the government formation process. He stated that while the PML-N would sit on the opposition benches in the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly, its elected members would support the PPP through their votes to help establish the next government.
Responding to the development, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that acknowledging the PPP’s position as the largest party in the assembly reflected democratic traditions. He described the prime minister’s support as a constructive step toward political stability in the region.
According to the election results announced so far, the PPP secured 11 seats, followed by the PML-N with six seats. Independent candidates won four seats, while two PTI-backed candidates and one candidate from Majlis Wahdat-ul-Muslimeen also emerged victorious.
The results of three remaining constituencies are expected to be announced on June 17. A party requires at least 13 seats to form a government in Gilgit-Baltistan. Despite being the second-largest party, the PML-N has invited its coalition partner, the PPP, to form the next regional government.
