Bilawal welcomes PM’s invitation to form G-B government, terms recognition of PPP mandate 'democratic'
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday invited the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) to form the government in Gilgit-Baltistan. saying the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) would support its coalition partner while opting to sit on the opposition benches in the regional assembly.
The move comes after unofficial results from Sunday’s G-B elections showed the PPP leading in 11 of the 24 seats contested. The PML-N was leading in five constituencies. Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) in three, its ally Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM) in one, while independent candidates were ahead in two constituencies.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office. PM Shehbaz said the PML-N would support the PPP in the government formation process.
Read:PPP, PML-N leaders meet in Gilgit to discuss G-B government formation
“The Pakistan Peoples Party has emerged as the majority party in Gilgit-Baltistan,. we invite it to form the government there,” he said.
The premier said the PML-N had decided to sit in the opposition in the G-B Assembly,. its elected members would vote in favour of the PPP to enable it to form the government.
“We have made this decision in accordance with democratic traditions and values. The PML-N has always maintained a relationship of mutual respect with its allied parties,” he said.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari welcomed the prime minister’s statement. thanked him for inviting the party to form the next administration in the region.
“The recognition of the Pakistan Peoples Party’s majority in Gilgit-Baltistan is a continuation of a democratic tradition. We view the prime minister’s invitation to form the government as a positive step,” Bilawal said in a statement.
چیئرمین پاکستان پیپلزپارٹی بلاول بھٹو زرداری کا وزیراعظم پاکستان کے گلگت بلتستان میں حکومت سازی کے بیان کا خیرمقدم@BBhuttoZardariمزید پڑھیں:https://t.co/rzFvBGtS9apic.twitter.com/SLOsifUdlh
He said it had been agreed through consensus that the offices of the governor. deputy speaker in G-B would be held by the PML-N.
“The Pakistan Peoples Party will utilise all its capabilities in serving the people of Gilgit-Baltistan,” he said.
Bilawal also thanked the people of the region for making the PPP the largest political party in the region.
“By placing their trust in us. making us the largest political party in Gilgit-Baltistan, the people have entrusted us with the responsibility to ensure the protection of their ownership rights, employment rights and constitutional rights,” he said, adding that the party will fulfil this responsibility in the best possible manner.
Also Read:Opposition rejects G-B election results
A day before the announcement, senior leaders of the PPP. the PML-N met in Gilgit to discuss various proposals for the formation of the next government in G-B following the June 7 elections, according to a statement issued by the PML-N on Thursday.
With coalition-building expected to determine the shape of the next administration, leaders of the two parties exchanged views on different options for government formation. agreed to continue consultations.
The delegations also agreed that the proposals discussed during the meeting would be presented to their respective G-B. central leaderships before any final decision was taken.
Meanwhile, the election results have been challenged by several political parties.
PTI rejected the outcome, alleging irregularities. manipulation in a number of constituencies, while Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl raised concerns over the alleged non-issuance of Forms 45 in real time during the vote count.
Questions have also been raised by various stakeholders over delays in the announcement of results. leaving aspects of the electoral process under dispute even as coalition negotiations continue.
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