The Election Commission of Gilgit-Baltistan has declared the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) eligible for reserved seats, rejecting an appeal filed by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) against the allocation of reserved seats to IPP.
The decision comes as political alignments continue to shift in Gilgit-Baltistan, with several newly elected independent members joining different parties after the assembly elections.
According to the Election Commission, the PPP had filed an appeal requesting that reserved seats should not be given to the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party. The commission rejected the PPP’s appeal and declared IPP eligible for reserved seats.
Officials said the PPP can approach the Supreme Court against the Election Commission’s decision.
Another independent joins IPP
In another major development, independent newly elected Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly member Imam Malik has joined the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party. Imam Malik was elected from GB-16 Diamer.
The chief election commissioner approved the request submitted by IPP Secretary General Mian Khalid Mehmood. Following the approval, the commission issued an official notification confirming Malik’s joining of IPP.
With Imam Malik’s inclusion, the number of IPP members in the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly has increased to five.
The Election Commission has also issued an official notification confirming that four independent candidates have joined the IPP. Those who previously joined IPP include Muhammad Dilpazir, Aman Ali, Anwar Ali and Asad Shafiq.
The chief election commissioner formally notified their decision to join the party.
Naiknam Karim joins PPP
Meanwhile, independent candidate Naiknam Karim from Hunza has joined the PPP. The chief lection commissioner received a confirmation letter from Naiknam Karim regarding his decision.
Naiknam Karim was elected from GBA-6 Hunza.
The latest developments have added momentum to post-election political activity in Gilgit-Baltistan. With the Election Commission declaring IPP eligible for reserved seats and independent candidates joining both IPP and PPP, the political landscape of the GB Assembly is changing rapidly.
The decision is expected to play an important role in future government formation and the distribution of reserved seats in Gilgit-Baltistan.
