Four newly elected independent members of the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly on Tuesday announced their decision to join the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) following a meeting with party president and Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan.

The lawmakers who announced their affiliation with the party include Anwar Ali, elected from G-BA-23 Ghanche-II; Dr Asad Shafiq, elected from G-BA-24 Ghanche-III; Muhammad Dilpazeer, elected from GBA-15 Diamer-I; and Aman Ali Amir, elected from GBA-21 Yasin.

The development is significant in the context of ongoing political consultations and alliance-building efforts as parties seek to strengthen their position ahead of the government formation process in G-B.

Also Read: Opposition rejects G-B election results

IPP had fielded candidates in several constituencies during the elections but did not secure a victory in any seat. The inclusion of the four independents, however, gives the party a presence in the newly elected assembly and could influence political negotiations in the coming days.

According to unofficial results of the June 7 elections, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) secured 10 out of 24 seats in the G-B Legislative Assembly. Following the victory, delegations of the PPP and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz held meetings in G-B to discuss proposals for forming a government following the elections. Senior leaders from both sides engaged in detailed consultations on power-sharing arrangements and governance proposals.

A broad opposition alliance, including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, rejected the results of the G-B elections, alleging widespread rigging and manipulation, and announced plans for protests and further political action.

Congratulating the PPP on victory, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that the PML-N would sit on opposition benches in the G-B, but its elected members would vote in favour of the PPP to enable it to form the government. He assured full support from the PML-N for the PPP in the government formation process.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari welcomed PM Shehbaz’s statement and expressed his gratitude.

In a statement, Bilawal said that recognising the PPP’s majority in G-B reflected continuity of democratic traditions and hailed the prime minister’s invitation to form the government as a “positive step”.

Read: PPP, PML-N leaders meet in Gilgit to discuss G-B government formation

“As a result of a consensus agreement, the positions of governor and deputy speaker of G-B will be allocated to the PML-N,” he was quoted as saying. “The PPP will utilise all its capabilities to serve the people of G-B.”

He added that the PPP would fully dedicate its efforts to serving the people of the region and addressing their concerns.