Aleem Khan Contacts Bilawal to Form Gilgit-Baltistan Government

Federal Communications Minister and Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) Chairman Aleem Khan contacted Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Monday to discuss the formation of the next government in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB).

The two leaders reportedly agreed that the PPP and IPP would jointly form the GB government. Sources added that the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) will also back the PPP’s chief ministerial candidate, while choosing to sit on the opposition benches in the assembly.

In exchange for its support, PML-N is expected to be given the posts of GB Governor and Deputy Speaker, sources said. According to PPP insiders, Amjad Hussain Advocate is likely to be elected Chief Minister on Tuesday.

Earlier on Monday, the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly unopposed-elected its Speaker and Deputy Speaker. PPP’s Imran Nadeem took the Speaker’s seat, while PML-N’s Malik Kifayat-ur-Rehman became Deputy Speaker. Outgoing Speaker Nazir Advocate administered the oath to Nadeem, who then swore in Kifayat-ur-Rehman.

PPP has formally put forward Amjad Hussain Advocate as its candidate for Chief Minister, with the nomination approved by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. Party sources said Bilawal spoke by phone with PPP’s GB chapter president, Amjad Hussain, instructing him on government formation and on protecting the people’s constitutional and economic rights.

Sources further said PPP held behind-the-scenes talks with other GB parties, persuading them not to field rival candidates for Chief Minister. The party is expected to officially announce Hussain’s candidacy following the assembly’s oath-taking session.

The Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly session has been called for 4pm on Tuesday. Sources said the names of the CM and Speaker will be finalized on June 22, with Bilawal Bhutto Zardari making the final call.