Unofficial results of the Gilgit-Baltistan assembly elections have clarified the political direction of the region, with the Pakistan Peoples Party emerging as the single largest party with 11 seats. However, due to the lack of a simple majority, coalition politics and political negotiations have assumed decisive importance for government formation.
According to Form 47, the PPP has won 11 out of 24 seats, while the PML-N is in second place with six seats. Independent candidates managed to win four seats, while candidates supported by the PTI won two and the Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen won one seat.
Following the results, a high-level meeting was held in Gilgit between the two major parties, the PPP and the PML-N, in which various proposals regarding the formation of the next government were discussed. Although no final formula was announced, statements by both parties indicate that the process of political contacts is actively underway.
Political observers say that the support of independent candidates and smaller parties can play an important role in forming a government in the current assembly. Although the PPP is the largest party numerically, it will need more political support to form a stable government.
The PPP has claimed that the people of Gilgit-Baltistan have given it a clear mandate and that decisions on government formation will be made in accordance with democratic principles and public interest. On the other hand, the PML-N has also termed the talks as positive and said that all proposals will take final shape after the approval of the central leadership.
According to sources, the talks not only discussed government formation but also future political cooperation, development projects and administrative priorities of the region. This is important because Gilgit-Baltistan is considered a region of national importance in terms of tourism, mineral resources, energy and regional connectivity in the coming years.
However, the electoral process is not completely over. The formal consolidation of the election results is still pending due to re-polling at some polling stations in five constituencies. Although these seats are unlikely to cause a major change in the overall political balance, their impact on the government formation strategy cannot be ignored.
According to political analysts, the coming days will be crucial for Gilgit-Baltistan politics, as coalition talks, affiliations of independent members and political understandings at the federal level will determine the shape and stability of the new government. Current figures certainly give the PPP an edge, but an effective political strategy will still be essential to reach power.
