PPP, PML-N leaders meet in Gilgit to discuss G-B government formation

Senior leaders of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) met in Gilgit to discuss various proposals for the formation of the next government in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) following the June 7 elections, according to a post by PML-N on Thursday.

According to the post on X, the meeting, held at a local hotel, brought together high-level delegations from both parties as negotiations over a possible coalition arrangement gathered momentum.

The PML-N delegation included Minister for Kashmir Affairs, G-B, and SAFRON Amir Muqam and PML-N G-B President Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman. The PPP delegation comprised senior leaders Qamar Zaman Kaira, Sharjeel Inam Memon, Nayyar Hussain Bukhari, PPP G-B President Amjad Hussain Advocate, and Sindh Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah.

According to a statement issued after the meeting, leaders of the two parties held detailed discussions on the current political situation in G-B and reviewed various proposals related to the formation of a new government.

The consultations come as no single party has secured enough seats to independently form a government in the 33-member Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly.

Based on provisional results, the PPP has emerged as the largest party with 10 of the 24 contested seats, while the PML-N secured six seats. PTI-backed candidates won two seats, while five independents and one candidate from Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) were also elected.

With coalition-building expected to determine the next administration, leaders from both parties exchanged views on different options for government formation and agreed to continue consultations.

Read: G-B’s verdict

The delegations also agreed that the proposals discussed during the meeting would be placed before their respective G-B and central leaderships before any final decision is taken.

Both sides said further consultations would help determine the future course of action regarding government formation in the region.

Meanwhile, the election results have been challenged by several political parties. PTI rejected the outcome, alleging irregularities and manipulation in a number of constituencies, while JUI-F also raised concerns over the alleged non-issuance of Forms 45 in real time during the vote count.

Questions have also been raised by various stakeholders regarding delays in the announcement of results, leaving some aspects of the electoral process under dispute even as coalition negotiations move forward.

The G-B Election Commission on Wednesday directed returning officers not to finalise or consolidate results in five constituencies until re-polling is completed on June 15.

Re-polling has been ordered at 26 polling stations in Skardu-II (GBA-8), Astore-I (GBA-13), Diamer-I (GBA-15), Diamer-II (GBA-16), and Diamer-III (GBA-17), with the commission stating that constituency results can only be consolidated after incorporating the outcome of the fresh polling.

The commission has also ordered recounts in certain constituencies, including Ghizer-II (GBA-20), following complaints and requests from candidates alleging irregularities during the counting process.