GILGIT:

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has emerged as the single largest party in the Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) Assembly following Sunday’s general elections in the region, according to unofficial and unverified results received on Monday.

According to the preliminary data, the PPP managed to secure 10 seats, followed by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) with six seats. Candidates backed by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) won two seats, while the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) bagged one seat.

With no single party securing a clear majority, the role of five independents has become crucial for government formation in the region. Analysts suggest that intense political manoeuvring will begin as mainstream parties scramble to woo the independent winners.

In the district of Gilgit, heavyweights from both sides clinched victories in their respective constituencies. In Gilgit-1, former G-B chief minister and PML-N candidate Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman secured a comfortable victory with a heavy majority. The Gilgit-2 swat was won by PPP G-B President Amjad Hussain Advocate.

 

Repolling ordered

Chief Election Commissioner Gilgit-Baltistan Raja Shahbaz Khan has ordered repolling at five polling stations following petitions filed by losing candidates.

According to the decision, repolling will be held on June 15 in one polling station of GBA-15 and four polling stations of GBA-16. The move comes after objections were raised over the initial polling process in these constituencies.

 

PM’s felicitations

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday extended congratulations to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan on the “successful, transparent, peaceful and politically vibrant conduct” of the general elections held on Sunday.

The prime minister, in a statement, congratulated the PPP, including President Asif Ali Zardari and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, for emerging as the majority political party in the Gilgit-Baltistan elections.

He congratulated the successful candidates of the PML-N who put up strong competition, besides praising the party’s team for their hard work and dedication.

Felicitating all other winning candidates across G-B, the premier appreciated the people for their enthusiastic and full participation in the political activities.

Calling the peaceful and transparent elections and active political engagement the “beauty of democracy”, he praised the election commission for ensuring a fair and impartial electoral process.

The prime minister also lauded the police and law enforcement agencies for playing an exemplary role in maintaining law and order and ensuring the peaceful conduct of the polls.

(With input from our correspondent)