Centre committed to working with new G-B government: PM Shehbaz

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to work with the newly elected Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) administration for the welfare and development of the region, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

The premier made these remarks during a meeting with G-B Chief Minister Amjad Hussain, who called on him at the Prime Minister House in Islamabad.

According to the statement, PM Shehbaz congratulated the newly elected chief minister on assuming office and assured him that the “federal government is committed to working with the newly elected G-B government for the welfare and well-being of the people of the region.”

The prime minister said the government was planning key development projects across G-B, including initiatives in renewable energy, tourism, infrastructure, health and education, to ensure “progress and prosperity” in the region.

Highlighting the government’s priorities, the prime minister said Danish schools and a 100-megawatt solar energy project were among the federal government’s flagship initiatives for G-B.

He added that the government was also planning to establish Pakistan Asaan Khidmat Centres (PAKC) in G-B to facilitate residents.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal and Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema were also present during the meeting.

On June 22, PPP-nominated candidate Amjad Hussain was elected unopposed as chief minister of the region. The PML-N’s Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman was also elected as leader of the opposition. The PPP-nominated chief minister enjoyed the support of at least 28 members from the PPP, the PML-N, and the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party in the 33-member house.

The first session of the assembly saw 30 members take the oath, followed by the election of the two key constitutional offices: speaker and deputy speaker.

PPP’s Imran Nadeem, a newly elected member of the G-B Assembly from Shigar district, was declared elected as speaker after no other candidate submitted nomination papers for the post within the stipulated time.

Also Read: Opposition rejects G-B election results

The 33-member house comprises 24 general seats, six reserved seats for women, and three seats for technocrats and professionals. Although all nine reserved seats have been allocated, the G-B Election Commission has so far issued notifications for only 21 of the 24 general seats, taking the total number of notified members to 30.

The party position in the house has now become clear. The PPP Parliamentary Group holds 13 seats, including nine general, three women, and one technocrat seat. The PML-N holds nine seats, including six general, two women, and one technocrat seat.

The Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party has six seats: four general, one woman, and one technocrat. The MWM holds one general seat, while there is also one general seat held by a PTI-backed independent candidate. Results of three general seats from Diamer and Skardu have not yet been notified due to legal and electoral proceedings.