IPP Joins PPP-Led Alliance to Support Government Formation in Gilgit-Baltistan

GILGIT: The Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) on Sunday announced its decision to join a coalition led by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in Gilgit-Baltistan, strengthening efforts to form a new regional government following recent assembly elections.

The announcement was made during a joint press conference in Gilgit by leaders of both parties, one day after the PPP reached a power-sharing agreement with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).

IPP Gilgit-Baltistan President Haji Gul Bar Khan said his party would formally join the PPP-led alliance, adding that additional matters related to the coalition would be finalized by the central leaderships of the participating parties.

Speaking alongside him, PPP Gilgit-Baltistan President Amjad Hussain described the alliance among the PPP, PML-N and IPP as a positive development for the region. He said the partnership would help promote political stability and accelerate development and prosperity in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Amjad Hussain also announced that the formal process of government formation would begin on Monday.

The coalition arrangement follows an agreement reached a day earlier between the PPP and PML-N. Under the power-sharing formula, the office of the Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan will be held by the PPP, while the position of Governor will go to the PML-N.

According to a statement issued by the PPP, the two parties agreed to form a government through political cooperation after extensive consultations and mutual consensus. The agreement also provides for the Leader of the Opposition in the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly to come from the PML-N, while the party will also hold the office of Deputy Speaker.

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The coalition negotiations come in the aftermath of the June 7 elections for 24 seats in the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly. The PPP emerged as the largest party by securing nine seats, while the PML-N won six seats, according to results announced by the Election Commission Gilgit-Baltistan.

Although the IPP did not win any seats directly in the election, its position improved after four independent members joined the party during a meeting with Abdul Aleem Khan on June 16.

The election results also showed that the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen secured one seat, while another seat was won by an independent candidate.

Election authorities have yet to announce results for three constituencies: GBA-9 Skardu-3, GBA-15 Diamer-1, and GBA-17 Diamer-3.

With the addition of the IPP to the PPP-PML-N alliance, coalition leaders appear increasingly confident of securing a stable majority and moving ahead with the formation of the next government in Gilgit-Baltistan.