PPP Contacts PTI and MWM for Gilgit-Baltistan Government Formation

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has initiated contacts with the leadership of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) as efforts intensify to form the next government in Gilgit-Baltistan following the recent elections.

According to sources, the PPP is seeking to establish a coalition government in Gilgit-Baltistan with the support of opposition parties represented at the federal level. Opposition leaders are expected to hold consultations over the next 24 hours to finalize a strategy for government formation in the region.

Sources said that one MWM candidate and two PTI-backed independent candidates secured victories in the elections. With the addition of reserved seats for women and technocrats, the opposition bloc is expected to command a total of five votes in the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly.

Meanwhile, results from 22 of the 24 constituencies indicate that the PPP has emerged as the largest party with 10 seats. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) secured five seats, while four independent candidates have joined the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), giving the party four seats in the assembly. Two independents retained their status, while MWM won one seat.

Political negotiations are expected to continue in the coming days as parties seek alliances to secure a majority and form the next regional government.

Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif invited the PPP to form the government in Gilgit-Baltistan, while the PML-N decided to sit in the opposition benches despite its electoral gains in the region.

The final composition of the assembly is likely to become clearer after the allocation of reserved seats and the completion of coalition talks among political parties.