The Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) declared its support for the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in forming a coalition government in Gilgit-Baltistan on Sunday. This announcement came during a joint press conference held in Gilgit, following the PPP’s recent agreement on a power-sharing arrangement with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
IPP Gilgit-Baltistan President Haji Gul Bar Khan confirmed the party’s decision to join the PPP-led alliance, noting that further details concerning the coalition would be finalized by the central leadership of both parties. Meanwhile, PPP Gilgit-Baltistan President Amjad Hussain described the alliance between PPP, PML-N, and IPP as a constructive step that would steer the region towards development and prosperity.
In a significant development, Hussain announced that the formal process of establishing the government would commence on Monday. The power-sharing formula agreed upon earlier assigns the chief minister’s office to the PPP, while the governorship will be held by the PML-N. Both parties reached this consensus through political cooperation and a consultative process involving their respective organizations.
The arrangement also designates the opposition leader in the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly to the PML-N, along with the deputy speaker’s post. The general elections for 24 assembly seats took place on June 7, with the PPP emerging as the largest party by winning nine seats. The PML-N secured six seats across 21 constituencies, as per the Election Commission of Gilgit-Baltistan (ECGB).
Although the IPP did not win any seats in the election, it gained the support of four independent candidates who joined the party after a meeting with Communications Minister and IPP President Abdul Aleem Khan on June 16. Additionally, Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen won one seat, and one independent candidate also secured a seat. The ECGB has yet to announce results for three constituencies: GBA-9 Skardu-3, GBA-15 Diamer-1, and GBA-17 Diamer-3.
