GILGIT:
Four newly elected independent members of the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly on Tuesday announced their decision to join the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) following a meeting with party president and federal minister Abdul Aleem Khan.
Lawmakers who announced their affiliation to the party include Anwar Ali, elected from G-BA-23 Ghanche-II; Dr. Asad Shafiq, elected from G-BA-24 Ghanche-III; Muhammad Dilpazeer, elected from GBA-15 Diamer-I; and Aman Ali Amir, elected from GBA-21 Yasin.
The development is significant in the context of ongoing political consultations and alliance-building efforts as parties seek to strengthen their position ahead of the government formation process in Britain.
The IPP fielded candidates in several constituencies during the elections, but did not emerge victorious in any seat. The inclusion of the four independents, however, gives the party presence in the newly elected assembly and could influence the political negotiations in the coming days.
According to the unofficial results of the June 7 election, the PPP won 10 of the 24 seats in the UK Legislative Assembly. After the victory, delegations from the PPP and the PML-N met in GB to discuss proposals to form a government after the elections. Senior leaders from both sides engaged in detailed consultations on power-sharing agreements and governance proposals.
A broad opposition alliance, including the PTI, rejected the GB election results, alleging widespread fraud and manipulation, and announced plans for protests and further political action.
Congratulating the PPP on the victory, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the PML-N would sit on the opposition seats in the GB, but its elected members would vote in favor of the PPP to allow it to form the government.
