A new era in Gilgit-Baltistan's parliamentary politics began on Monday as the newly elected assembly held its first session, elected its speaker and deputy speaker unopposed, and later chose a new chief minister without contest.
The inaugural session of the newly elected Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly began with the oath-taking ceremony for 30 elected members.
Outgoing Speaker Nazir Ahmed Advocate administered the oath to the members. Among those sworn in were 13 members of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), nine members of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), six members of the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), one independent member and one member of the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM).
The notifications of three members have been stayed by the Supreme Appellate Court until July 2, preventing them from taking oath at this stage.
Imran Nadeem elected speaker unopposed
Following the oath-taking ceremony, PPP member Imran Nadeem was elected unopposed as speaker of the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly. The election marked a significant political development, with support coming from members across party lines.
After his election, outgoing Speaker Nazir Ahmed Advocate administered the oath to Imran Nadeem.
Malik Kifayat becomes deputy speaker
PML-N leader Malik Kifayat-ur-Rehman was elected unopposed as deputy speaker of the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly. After taking oath as speaker, Imran Nadeem administered the oath to Malik Kifayat-ur-Rehman.
Also Read: 30 newly elected Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly members take oath
The unopposed election of both the speaker and deputy speaker reflected cooperation among major political parties in the assembly.
PPP, PML-N, IPP back consensus candidates
The Pakistan Peoples Party supported the unopposed election of both the speaker and deputy speaker.
Members of the Pakistan Muslim League-N and Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party also supported the consensus arrangement, paving the way for smooth proceedings during the assembly’s first sitting.
Amjad Hussain Advocate elected CM
Later, the assembly session moved to the election of the chief minister of Gilgit-Baltistan. PPP leader Amjad Hussain Advocate was elected unopposed as chief minister. Speaker Imran Nadeem formally announced his unopposed election.
Amjad Hussain Advocate is the president of the PPP Gilgit-Baltistan and has been elected as a member of the assembly for the second time.
Also Read: IPP agrees to back PPP in GB after Bilawal-Aleem Khan chat
PML-N leader Hafiz Hafeez-ur-Rehman was elected as the leader of the opposition in the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly.
Hafiz Hafeez, a former chief minister of Gilgit-Baltistan, also serves as the provincial president of PML-N in the region. The PML-N currently holds nine seats in the assembly, making it the second-largest party in the house.
New political phase begins
The successful completion of the first assembly session, along with the unopposed election of key parliamentary offices and the chief minister, signals the beginning of a new political phase in Gilgit-Baltistan.
The consensus-based elections highlighted cooperation among political parties as the newly formed assembly begins its legislative term.
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