Four independents join Aleem Khan’s Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party in Gilgit-Baltistan

GILGIT: Four independent candidates. who recently won in their constituencies, joined the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) after a meeting with party president Abdul Aleem Khan.

The members include Anwar Ali, elected from GBA-23 Ghanche-II; Dr Asad Shafiq, elected from GBA-24 Ghanche-III; Muhammad Dilpazeer, elected from GBA-15 Diamer-I;. Aman Ali Amir, elected from GBA-21 Ghizer.

Khan, who is also a federal minister, announced the development on his social media account and congratulated the members.

“Representation of Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party in the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly for the first time will be a welcoming development. With hard work and honesty, the party will fully participate in the development of Gilgit-Baltistan,” he said.

During the recentgeneral electionsheld on June 7. the IPP fielded 16 candidates from 16 constituencies in GB; however, none succeeded in winning.

These four independent members of the GB Assembly could play a significant role in the formation of the GB government.

Last week, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari welcomed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s statement regarding theformationof a government in GB. expressed his gratitude.

According toRadio Pakistan, the prime minister assured full support from the PML-N to the PPP on government formation.

The prime minister said the PML-N has decided to sit on the opposition benches in the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly,. its elected members will vote in favour of the PPP to form the government.

In astatement, Bilawal said that recognising the PPP’s majority in GB is the continuation of a democratic tradition. added that the party views the premier’s invitation to form the government as a “positive step”.

The PPP won 11 seats, the PML-N six, and independents four. Meanwhile, two PTI-backed candidates and one MWM candidate also won the elections.

The results of three constituencies will be announced on June 17.

Thirteen members are required to form a government. However. the second-largest party in the GB elections, the PML-N, hasinvitedthe PPP — its coalition partner in the Centre — to form the government.