Consultations on the formation of a government in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) began on Friday as delegations from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) met in Gilgit to discuss the region’s political situation, government formation and other matters of mutual interest, according to a press release.

The PPP delegation, comprising Secretary General Syed Nayyar Hussain Bukhari, Qamar Zaman Kaira and Amjad Hussain Advocate, received the IPP delegation led by the party’s Central Secretary General Mian Khalid Mahmood. The IPP team also included G-B President and former chief minister Haji Gulbar Khan, former governor Raja Jalal Hussain Maqpoon and G-B General Secretary Fatehullah Khan.

During the meeting, both sides held detailed discussions on the formation of the next government in G-B, as well as other key political and administrative issues facing the region. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to promoting political stability, strengthening democratic institutions and advancing public welfare in G-B.

According to the press release, there was consensus that all political stakeholders should move forward through mutual understanding, respect and democratic processes to put G-B on a path towards sustainable development and prosperity.

The participants expressed hope that the government formation process, carried out through democratic and political means, would serve the best interests of the people of the region.

Both parties agreed to continue consultations in the coming days and reiterated their commitment to working together for political stability, sustainable development and improved public service delivery in Gilgit-Baltistan.

On June 16, four newly elected independent members of the G-B Assembly announced their decision to join the IPP following a meeting with party president and Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan.

Read: Four newly elected independent members of G-B Assembly join IPP

The lawmakers who announced their affiliation with the party include Anwar Ali, elected from G-BA-23 Ghanche-II; Dr Asad Shafiq, elected from G-BA-24 Ghanche-III; Muhammad Dilpazeer, elected from GBA-15 Diamer-I; and Aman Ali Amir, elected from GBA-21 Yasin.

Ten days ago, a broad opposition alliance, including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), rejected the results of the G-B elections, alleging widespread rigging and manipulation, and announced plans for protests and further political action.

Addressing a press conference, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan declared the polls “fake and rigged”, announcing that the party would observe a “black day” in G-B on oath-taking day and issue a white paper detailing alleged irregularities.

He claimed that PTI had secured clear victories in at least eight constituencies and possessed Form-47 results for three seats.

Senate Opposition Leader Raja Nasir Abbas, who also heads the MWM party, alleged large-scale manipulation, citing delays in results and selective dissemination of outcomes as factors raising serious questions about transparency.

He claimed that an “information blackout” in the region was aimed at concealing facts and accused authorities of depriving PTI candidates of a level playing field.

He alleged political interference, ground-level coercion, and engineered defections, saying such practices had distorted the electoral environment.

“Public mandate has been stolen and redistributed,” he said, warning that undermining genuine political leadership could create a dangerous vacuum and erode trust in the state.