PTI stakes claim on G-B govt

Party bags 10 seats in election, followed by 7 independents; PPP, PML-N manage 3, 2 seats respectively

GILGIT:

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday stacked claim on the Gilgit-Baltistan government after the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) emerged the biggest party in Sunday’s election for the region’s legislative assembly.

According to the unofficial results of 23 constituencies of G-B, the PTI bagged 10 seats, leading other major political parties, including the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) with three seats, and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) with two seats.

The Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen Pakistan (MWM) secured one seat after seat adjustment with the PTI in one constituency, whereas independent candidates emerged victorious in seven constituencies, according to the unofficial results.

The elections were held amid tight security and anti-coronavirus standard operating procedures (SOPs) on Sunday. On Monday, soon after the results were confirmed by the election officials, jubilant supporters of the winning candidates came out on streets to celebrate.

PTI to form govt

Prime Minister Imran Khan, while chairing a meeting of the government and party spokespersons in the federal capital, said that the PTI would form the government in G-B to redress the problems of the masses in the backward areas with focus on the development projects.

Imran said that the people of Gilgit-Baltistan rejected the narrative of the opposition alliance, the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM). He directed the spokesperson to expose corruption cases against the opposition leaders.

The results

According to the unofficial results PPP's Amjad Hussain won in GBA-1 Gilgit-I, while independent candidate Sultan Raees and PTI's Johar Ali remained second and third, respectively. PTI's Fattaullah Khan stood victorious in GBA-2, Gilgit-II, where PPP's Jameel Ahmed and former GB chief minister Hafeez ur Rehman secured second and third positions, respectively.

Election in GBA-3 has been postponed till November 22, following the death of contesting candidate. In GB-4, Nagar-I, PPP's Amjad Hussain defeated Islami Tehreek Pakistan’s (ITP) Muhammad Ayub after a tough contest.

Independent candidate Javed Ali Manwa won the elections from GBA-5, Nagar-II, where MWM Rizwan Ali remained second. PTI's Ubaidullah Baig grabbed GBA-6, Hunza defeating independent candidate Noor Muhammad.

PTI's Raja Muhammad Zakaria Khan took the lead in GBA-7, Skardu-I, leaving behind PPP's Syed Mehdi Shah who remained second in the race. And in a neck-and-neck contest in GBA-8, Skardu-II, MWM's Muhammad Kazim defeated Syed Muhammad Ali Shah.

Independent candidate Wazir Muhammad Saleem won in GBA-9, Skardu-III, while PTI's Fida Muhammad Nishad was the runner-up. The GBA-10, Skardu-IV constituency also went to independent candidate Nasir Ali Khan, where PTI's Wazir Hassan stood second.

PTI's Syed Majid Ali grabbed victory in GBA-11, Kharmang. Independent candidates Mohisn Rizvi and Iqbal Hassan remained second and third, respectively. PTI's Raja Azam Khan won the election in GBA-12, Shigar, defeating PPP's Imran Nadeem.

In GBA-13, PTI’s Khalid Khursheed Khan beat PPP’s Abdul Hameed Khan. PTI's Shamsul Haq Lone won the election in GBA-14 while PPP’s Muzaffar Ali Khan stood second. In GBA-15, independent candidate Shah Baig stood victorious.

PML-N’s Muhammad Anwar won the election in GBA-16. PTI's Haider Khan defeated Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl’s (JUI-F) Rehmat Khaliq in GBA-17. PTI's Gulbar Khan defeated independent candidate Kafaitur Rehman in GBA-18.

Independent candidate Nawaz Khan Naji grabbed victory in GBA-19, Ghizer-1 after beating PTI’s Zafar Muhammad. PTI's Nazir Ahmed secured victory in GBA-20, Ghizer II, whereas PML-N candidate Ghulam Muhammad emerged victorious in GBA-21.

Independent candidates Mushtaq Hussain and Abdul Hameed stood victorious in GBA-22, Ghanche-I and GBA-23, Ghanche-II, respectively. PPP's Muhammad Ismail won the election in GBA-24, Ghanche-III, where PTI’s Shamasud Din stood second.

WITH INPUT FROM APP