PML-N Announces Support While Opting for Opposition Role
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday invited the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) to form the government in Gilgit-Baltistan after the party emerged as the largest political force in the region following recent elections.
In a statement, the prime minister said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) would support the PPP’s claim to government formation while choosing to sit on the opposition benches in the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly.
He stated that PML-N lawmakers would vote in favor of the PPP during the government formation process despite the party’s decision to remain in opposition.
According to the prime minister, the move reflects the coalition’s commitment to democratic traditions, political stability, and mutual respect among allied parties.
Political Consultations Shape Government Formation
The announcement came amid ongoing consultations between coalition partners regarding the future political setup in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Earlier, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari reportedly expressed reservations over the election outcome and initially decided not to attend the federal budget session. However, following discussions with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi in Islamabad, he agreed to participate in the parliamentary proceedings.
A day before the announcement, senior delegations from both the PPP and PML-N met in Gilgit to discuss possible arrangements for government formation and broader political cooperation.
PPP leaders maintained that voters had given the party the largest mandate in the region and stressed that decisions regarding government formation would be guided by democratic principles and public interest.
PPP Emerges as Largest Party in Assembly
According to preliminary and unofficial results, the PPP secured 10 of the 24 directly elected seats in the 33-member Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly, making it the largest party but short of an outright majority.
The PML-N won six seats, while independent candidates secured seven, including two backed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Majlis-e-Wahdatul Muslimeen (MWM) captured one seat.
The assembly also includes nine reserved seats, allocated proportionally among parties based on their electoral performance.
PPP recorded strong performances across several districts, including Gilgit, Skardu, Nagar, Ghizer, Roundu, Kharmang, Darel, and Shigar, strengthening its position to lead the next regional government.
