GILGIT, Jun 21 (Alliance News): The Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) on Sunday announced its support for the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) to help form a coalition government in Gilgit-Baltistan.
The announcement was made during a joint press conference in Gilgit, a day after the PPP reached a power-sharing agreement with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
IPP GB President Haji Gul Bar Khan said the party would join the PPP-led alliance, while adding that further matters regarding the coalition would be decided by the central leadership of the parties.
PPP GB President Amjad Hussain welcomed the alliance among PPP, PML-N, and IPP, saying the political cooperation would help put Gilgit-Baltistan on the path of development and prosperity. He announced that the formal process of government formation would begin on Monday.
Under the power-sharing formula agreed between PPP and PML-N, the PPP will get the position of Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan, while the governor’s office will go to PML-N. The opposition leader and deputy speaker of the GB Assembly will also be from PML-N.
The Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly elections for 24 seats were held on June 7, with PPP emerging as the largest party by securing nine seats. PML-N won six seats in 21 announced constituencies, according to the Election Commission of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Although IPP failed to win any seat in the elections, four independent candidates joined the party during a meeting with IPP President Abdul Aleem Khan on June 16.
Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen secured one seat, while an independent candidate also won one seat. The Election Commission of Gilgit-Baltistan said results for three constituencies would be announced later.
