GILGIT: The Gilgit‑Baltistan Assembly convened on Monday, where newly elected members were administered the oath of office by outgoing Speaker Nazir Ahmed Advocate.
In total, 30 members took the oath during the inaugural session of the sixth Assembly in Gilgit. The lineup comprised 21 elected general‑seat representatives, six women members allocated to reserved seats, and three technocrats. Voting results for three general constituencies are still pending as legal and electoral challenges are underway.
The session was then adjourned and resumed at 3:00 p.m.
The Assembly was called to order at 9:00 a.m. on Monday for the swearing‑in of the new members, as well as for the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
Following the election held on June 7, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) secured 13 seats, the Pakistan Muslim League‑Nawaz (PML‑N) won nine seats, the Istehkam‑i‑Pakistan Party (IPP) captured six seats, and the Majlis Wahdat‑i‑Muslimeen (MWM) together with a PTI‑backed independent each obtained one seat.
Both the PML‑N and the IPP have pledged to back the PPP in the elections for Chief Minister, Speaker and Deputy Speaker. In addition, the PPP has stated that it will form the government in Gilgit‑Baltistan with PML‑N’s support.
Advocate Amjad Hussain of the PPP is expected to be elected as Chief Minister, with Imran Nadeem anticipated to assume the role of Speaker. Meanwhile, Malik Kifayat of the PML‑N is tipped to become the Deputy Speaker.
