Gilgit: After the unofficial results of the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly elections were announced, the Pakistan Peoples Party has emerged as the largest political party in the region, and the process of political consultation to form a new government has intensified.
According to Form 47 issued by the Returning Officers, the Pakistan Peoples Party has won 11 seats out of 24 seats, after which it has come into a position to form a government. The Pakistan Muslim League (N) came in second with six seats, while independent candidates won four seats. Candidates supported by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf won two seats while the Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen won one seat.
After the election results, key leaders of the PPP and the PML-N met in Gilgit and discussed various proposals related to the formation of the next government and political cooperation. Both parties agreed that the consultation process would continue and the final proposals would be presented to their respective central leaderships.
The PPP delegation included Secretary General Nayyar Hussain Bukhari, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Senior Minister Sindh Sharjeel Inam Memon and Provincial Minister Nasir Hussain Shah. Advocate Amjad Hussain, a strong candidate for the Chief Ministership in Gilgit-Baltistan and President of PPP Gilgit-Baltistan, also participated in the talks.
Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Amir Muqam and former Chief Minister and provincial president of the party Hafiz Hafeez-ur-Rehman participated from the PML-N.
The PPP said in its statement that the people of Gilgit-Baltistan have expressed clear political trust by making it the largest party. The party leadership expressed its determination that all decisions related to government formation will be taken keeping in mind democratic principles, political consultation and public interest.
On the other hand, the PML-N also termed the consultative process as positive and said that various proposals were considered and the future course of action will be decided after consultation with the central leadership.
However, the election process was not completely concluded as re-polling is still underway at some polling stations in five constituencies. According to election officials, the overall results will not be officially consolidated until the results of these constituencies are complete.
According to political observers, the current situation gives the PPP a clear advantage to form a government, however, coalition politics and the support of independent members can also play an important role in the coming days. The formation of a new government in Gilgit-Baltistan is being considered a significant step forward in terms of the development of the region, administrative reforms and relations with the federation.
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