ISLAMABAD - Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a telephone conversation to discuss the political landscape in Gilgit-Baltistan following the recently concluded elections. The two leaders underscored the necessity of political collaboration in the region.
Discussion on Post-Election Scenario
During the call, Ishaq Dar congratulated Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on the PPP’s impressive performance in the Gilgit-Baltistan elections, recognizing the party’s emergence as a dominant political force. According to sources, the leaders exchanged perspectives on the post-election environment and stressed the importance of ensuring political stability and democratic continuity in the region. They agreed that the people’s mandate must be upheld and that the party with the largest number of seats in the assembly should be entrusted with forming the next government.
Commitment to Democratic Norms
Ishaq Dar reportedly informed the PPP chairman that there is a mutual understanding among the leadership of the major coalition partners that the party securing the highest number of seats should lead the government formation process. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari welcomed this gesture and reaffirmed his dedication to democratic norms and constitutional principles. The dialogue also centered on future cooperation between the PPP and the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) regarding matters pertaining to Gilgit-Baltistan.
Agreement on Governance and Development
Both leaders agreed that representatives from the two parties would convene to deliberate on governance issues, development priorities, and political arrangements in this strategically significant region. This interaction between senior political figures is viewed as a crucial step toward consensus-building after the elections, aiming to ensure a seamless power transition and avert political uncertainty in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Observers’ Perspective
Political observers believe that this discussion reflects the readiness of both the PPP and PML-N to pursue dialogue and cooperation in tackling the region’s governance challenges while respecting the electoral mandate. The development comes at a pivotal time as political parties initiate consultations on government formation in Gilgit-Baltistan.
