Center committed to working with new UK govt: PM Shehbaz

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to working with the newly elected Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) administration for the welfare and development of the region, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

The Prime Minister made these remarks during a meeting with UK Chief Minister Amjad Hussain, who visited him at the Prime Minister House in Islamabad.

According to the statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz congratulated the newly elected Prime Minister on assuming office and assured him that “the federal government is committed to working with the newly elected government of the United Kingdom for the welfare and well-being of the people of the region.”

The Prime Minister said the Government was planning key development projects across GB, including initiatives in renewable energy, tourism, infrastructure, health and education, to ensure “progress and prosperity” in the region.

Highlighting the government’s priorities, the prime minister said Danish schools and a 100-megawatt solar energy project were among the federal government’s flagship initiatives for Britain.

He added that the government was also planning to establish Pakistan Asaan Khidmat Centers (PAKC) in GB to facilitate the residents.

Deputy Prime Minister and External Affairs Minister Ishaq Dar, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema were also present during the meeting.

Last month, on June 22, PPP-nominated candidate Amjad Hussain was elected unopposed as the region’s prime minister. PML-N’s Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman was also elected opposition leader. The PPP-nominated prime minister had the support of at least 28 members of the PPP, PML-N and Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party in the 33-member house.

In the first session of the assembly 30 members were sworn in, followed by the election of the two key constitutional positions: president and vice president.

PPP’s Imran Nadeem, a newly elected GB Assembly member from Shigar district, was declared elected Speaker after no other candidate filed nomination papers for the post within the stipulated time.

Also read: Opposition rejects UK election results

The 33-member house comprises 24 general seats, six seats reserved for women and three seats for technocrats and professionals. Although all nine reserved seats have been allocated, the GB Election Commission has so far issued notifications for only 21 of the 24 general seats, taking the total number of notified members to 30.

The party’s position in the House has now become clear. The PPP Parliamentary Group has 13 seats, including 9 generals, 3 women and 1 technocrat seat. The PML-N has 9 seats, including 6 general, 2 women and 1 technocrat seat.

Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party has 6 seats including 4 generals, 1 woman and 1 technocrat. The MWM holds one general seat, while there is also a general seat held by a PTI-backed independent candidate. The results of three general seats of Diamer and Skardu have not yet been reported due to legal and electoral procedures.