Leaders reaffirm commitment to playing positive role in promoting political stability and improving public welfare
GILGIT-BALTISTAN:
Consultations on government formation in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) began on Friday as delegations of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) met in Gilgit to discuss the political situation in the region, government formation and other issues of common interest, according to a press release.
The PPP delegation, comprising general secretary Syed Nayyar Hussain Bukhari, Qamar Zaman Kaira and Amjad Hussain Advocate, received the IPP delegation led by party central general secretary Mian Khalid Mahmood. The IPP team also included GB President and former Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan, former Governor Raja Jalal Hussain Maqpoon and GB General Secretary Fatehullah Khan.
During the meeting, the two sides held in-depth discussions on the formation of the next government in Britain, as well as other key political and administrative issues facing the region. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to promoting political stability, strengthening democratic institutions and advancing public welfare in Britain.
According to the press release, there was consensus that all political actors should move forward through mutual understanding, respect and democratic processes to put Britain on a path to sustainable development and prosperity.
The participants expressed hope that the government formation process, carried out by democratic and political means, would best serve the interests of the people of the region.
Both sides agreed to continue consultations in the coming days and reiterated their commitment to work together for political stability, sustainable development and improved public service delivery in Gilgit-Baltistan.
On 16 June, four newly elected independent members of the UK Assembly announced their decision to join the IPP following a meeting with party chairman and federal minister Abdul Aleem Khan.
Read: Four newly elected independent members of the UK Assembly join the IPP
Lawmakers who announced their party affiliation include G-BA-23 Ghanche-II lawmaker Anwar Ali; 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.
Ten days ago, a broad opposition alliance, including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), rejected the British election results, alleging widespread fraud and manipulation, and announced plans for protests and further political action.
Addressing a press conference, lawyer Gohar Ali Khan, president of the PTI, said the elections were “fake and rigged”, announcing that the party would observe a “black day” in Britain on the day of the swearing-in and publish a white paper detailing the alleged irregularities.
He claimed that the PTI had won clear victories in at least eight constituencies and had Form 47 results for three seats.
Senate Opposition Leader Raja Nasir Abbas, who also heads the MWM party, denounced large-scale manipulation, citing delays in results and selective dissemination of results as factors raising serious questions about transparency.
He claimed an “information blackout” in the region was aimed at covering up the facts and accused authorities of denying PTI candidates a level playing field.
He alleged political interference, ground-level coercion and organized defections, saying such practices distorted the electoral environment.
“The public mandate has been stolen and redistributed,” he said, warning that undermining real political leadership could create a dangerous vacuum and erode trust in the state.
