2020 was a successful year for PTI, says G-B minister

Fatehullah hopes govt will be able to end sense of deprivation

Gilgit-Baltistan Information Minister Fatehullah Khan has said 2020 proved to be a successful year for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) as it formed its first government in the mountainous region by bagging 10 general seats in the elections against six of the opposition.

In the G-B elections held in November, the ruling government secured 22 of its 33 seats, according to official results announced by the region’s election commission. In all, the G-B Assembly has 33 seats — 24 of which are contested through direct elections; six are reserved for women and three others reserved for technocrats and professionals. Political parties can nominate their candidates to the latter through proportional representation.

Talking to The Express Tribune on Sunday, Fatehullah said the support of six independent members gave the PTI an overwhelming majority in the G-B Assembly. Despite numerous rallies of opposition parties across the region, the PTI defeated the united opposition in the general elections, he added.

The information minister said the G-B people reposed their trust in Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision that was evident in the party’s win.

“G-B Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid will work towards development and prosperity of the region as well as eradication of deprivation,” he said, adding that the government will work for provision of justice and establishment of a corruption-free society.

The minister expressed hope that the PTI will be able to end the deprivations of the people by making G-B an interim constitutional province. He claimed that the people of G-B have rejected the opposition’s narrative by not voting for their candidates in the general elections because of which the PTI was able to attain a two-thirds majority.

Lauding the party’s success, Fatehullah also paid tribute to the people and party workers of PTI who worked in the region.