The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) have formalized a power-sharing agreement to establish the next government in Gilgit-Baltistan, following detailed consultations and mutual confidence-building. Under the pact, the PPP will secure the chief minister's office, while the PML-N will receive the governor's office, the deputy speaker's position, and the leader of the opposition slot.
Joint Press Conference in Gilgit
Addressing a joint press conference in Gilgit, leaders from both parties emphasized their shared commitment to political stability, public welfare, and the strengthening of democratic values in the region. PML-N Gilgit-Baltistan President and former chief minister Hafeezur Rehman announced that his party would vote for the PPP's candidate for leader of the house and support the PPP's nominee for the speaker's office. He confirmed that the posts of governor and deputy speaker would be allocated to the PML-N in line with the formula agreed at the federal level.
PPP Responds to PML-N Support
PPP leaders thanked the PML-N leadership for backing their candidate for chief minister, stating that both parties would collaborate in the assembly for the broader interests of Gilgit-Baltistan. PPP leader Amjad Hussain Advocate noted that any decision regarding a possible alliance with the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) would be made by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
Attendees and Joint Statement
The press conference was attended by senior PPP leaders Qamar Zaman Kaira, Nayyar Hussain Bukhari, and Amjad Hussain Advocate, alongside former Gilgit-Baltistan chief minister Hafeezur Rehman and PML-N parliamentary members. In a joint statement, the two parties said the coalition arrangement aims to ensure political stability, address public issues, accelerate development, and strengthen democratic institutions in Gilgit-Baltistan. They described the agreed mandate formula as reflecting political harmony and mutual consultation, adding that both parties had resolved to rise above partisan interests for the national interest, public service, and Pakistan's prosperity. The statement lauded the coalition government formation as an important step towards promoting political tolerance, national unity, and democratic continuity, while ensuring effective, stable, and people-centric governance.
