PPP and PML-N leaders meet in Gilgit to discuss formation of UK government

Senior leaders of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) met in Gilgit to discuss various proposals for the formation of the next government in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) after the June 7 elections, according to a PML-N publication on Thursday.

According to the publication in X, the meeting, held at a local hotel, brought together high-level delegations from both parties as negotiations on a possible coalition agreement gained momentum.

The PML-N delegation included Kashmir Affairs Minister GB and SAFRON Amir Muqam and PML-N GB President Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman. The PPP delegation comprised senior leaders Qamar Zaman Kaira, Sharjeel Inam Memon, Nayyar Hussain Bukhari, PPP GB president Amjad Hussain Advocate and Sindh local government minister Nasir Hussain Shah.

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

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

According to the provisional results, the PPP emerged as the largest party with 10 of the 24 seats up for grabs, while the PML-N won six seats. PTI-backed candidates won two seats, while five independents and one Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) candidate were also elected.

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

Read: GB verdict

The delegations also agreed that the proposals discussed during the meeting will be presented to their respective GB and central leaders 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 questioned by several political parties. The PTI rejected the result, alleging irregularities and rigging in several constituencies, while JUI-F also expressed concern over the alleged non-issuance of Form 45s in real time during vote counting.

Several stakeholders have also raised questions about delays in announcing results, leaving some aspects of the electoral process in dispute even as coalition negotiations progress.

The GB Electoral Commission on Wednesday ordered returning officers not to finalize or consolidate results in five constituencies until re-voting is completed on June 15.

A re-vote 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 the results of the constituencies can only be consolidated after incorporating the result of the re-vote.

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