Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Amjad Hussain has announced a 12-member provincial cabinet, marking the next phase in the region’s new government. The cabinet includes eight members from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and four members from the Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP).
The appointments came shortly after the issuance of an official notification by the relevant provincial authorities. The move follows Amjad Hussain’s recent oath-taking as the new chief minister.
PPP and IPP Members Included in New Cabinet
According to the official notification, the appointments were made on the advice of the chief minister. Subsequently, the Gilgit-Baltistan governor approved the appointments of the selected assembly members as provincial ministers.
The newly appointed ministers are:
- Zulfiqar Ali Murad (PPP)
- Syed Jalal Shah (PPP)
- Muhammad Ali Akhtar (PPP)
- Naiknam Karim (PPP)
- Iqbal Hassan (PPP)
- Raja Nasir Khan (PPP)
- Muhammad Naseem (PPP)
- Syed Tauqeer Mehdi (PPP)
- Aman Ali (IPP)
- Asad Shafiq (IPP)
- Anwar Ali (IPP)
- Muhammad Dilpazeer (IPP)
However, the government has not yet announced portfolios for the ministers. Those responsibilities will be assigned separately. The governor will administer the oath to the cabinet members in a separate ceremony.
Coalition Partners Strengthen the Provincial Government
The inclusion of four IPP members reflects the coalition arrangement formed after the Gilgit-Baltistan elections.
Interestingly, all four IPP ministers had initially contested the June 7 elections as independent candidates. Later, they joined the Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party before becoming part of the provincial government.
As a result, the coalition has expanded its representation within the cabinet while maintaining political cooperation.
Current Composition of the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly
The Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly currently consists of:
- 14 members from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)
- 9 members from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)
- 7 members from the Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP)
- 1 member from Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM)
- 1 PTI-backed independent member
Earlier, the PML-N and IPP supported the PPP during the elections for the chief minister, speaker, and deputy speaker. However, under the political understanding, the PML-N decided to sit on the opposition benches despite supporting the government during the leadership elections.
By-Election Scheduled for Skardu Seat
Meanwhile, the Gilgit-Baltistan Election Commission has announced a by-election for GBA-9 Skardu-III, which will take place on September 5.
The seat became vacant after the Gilgit-Baltistan Supreme Appellate Court disqualified PPP candidate Fida Muhammad Nashad. The court ruled that he had concealed assets in his nomination papers, resulting in the cancellation of his election.
The upcoming by-election will determine the final composition of the assembly as the new provincial government begins its tenure.
With the formation of the cabinet, the Gilgit-Baltistan government has taken another step toward completing its administrative structure. Attention will now shift to the allocation of ministerial portfolios and the implementation of the government’s development agenda across the region.
