The newly elected members of the Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) Assembly were sworn in on Monday during the inaugural session held at the Assembly Hall in Gilgit, formally marking the start of a new five-year legislative term.

G-B Chief Election Commissioner Raja Shahbaz Khan announced the final results for all 24 constituencies on June 17, nearly 10 days after polling. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) emerged as the largest party in the assembly with 11 seats, followed by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) with six.

The Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party became the third-largest parliamentary group after four successful independent candidates joined the party following the elections. The Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen secured one seat, while Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed independents won two seats.

Also Read: Opposition rejects G-B election results

Outgoing G-B Assembly Speaker Advocate Nazir Ahmed administered the oath to the newly elected lawmakers. During the ceremony, all members pledged to serve the people, uphold the Constitution and the law, and discharge their responsibilities with honesty and dedication.

Following the oath-taking ceremony, the assembly is set to proceed with its scheduled business in accordance with the rules of procedure. The agenda includes the election of the speaker, deputy speaker and leader of the house, along with other parliamentary matters.

Government formation

Meanwhile, PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto called on the IPP President Abdul Aleem Khan to jointly form a government in G-B, a post on IPP’s X account said. 

During the phone conversation, Bilawal discussed the political situation in the region and sought support from the IPP president for the various assembly office nominees.

Khan said he accepted the PPP proposal and agreed to back the party in the upcoming elections for key positions, including the offices of chief minister and speaker of the house as well as other important roles in the G-B Assembly.

He added IPP would stand alongside the PPP and help ensure a strong majority in the elections for the key offices.

Describing the discussion with Bilawal as “pleasant and positive,” the IPP president expressed confidence in the strengthened cooperation between the two political entities and hoped it would contribute to political stability in G-B.

A day earlier, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had nominated PPP Provincial President Advocate Amjad as the chief minister of G-B, according to a post shared by the party on X.

Read: PPP, PML-N come to agreement on forming G-B govt together

On June 20, the deliberations between PPP and PML-N regarding the distribution of offices had led to an agreement that the former would get the seat of the chief minister, while the seats of the governor, opposition leader and deputy speaker of the G-B Assembly would go to the PML-N leadership.

The PPP had secured the majority of seats during the June 7 elections. The opposition, including the PTI, had rejected the election results and alleged widespread rigging and manipulation.