Pakistan - Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly
The Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly is the legislative body in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan. Gilgit-Baltistan is a self-governing territory in the northern part of the country. The Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly is responsible for making laws, representing the interests of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, and overseeing the regional governments functioning. The Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly consists of elected representatives known as Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs). These MLAs are elected through general elections held every five years. The number of seats in the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly is determined based on the population and geographical distribution of the region. The political party or coalition that secures a majority of seats in the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly forms the government and elects a Chief Minister from among its members. The Chief Minister heads the regional government and exercises executive powers in Gilgit-Baltistan. The Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly plays a significant role in legislative matters, including passing laws, approving the regional budget, and discussing and debating issues of public importance. It provides a platform for representatives to address the concerns and interests of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.
This election gives all citizens, regardless of wealth, a fair shot to be heard and participate in every step of the democratic process
PTI govt in GB expands cabinet
According to a notification of the law and prosecution department of GB, the government through amendment in rules of business has facilitated creation of posts of coordinators, under which the number of coordinators to the chief minister has been increased from two to 10. "It is notified for general information and compliance that the Governor Gilgit-Baltistan has been pleased to further amend rule 29(A)(3) amended in 2017 of the Gilgit-Baltistan Rules of Business, 2009 by inserting a new proviso i.e. after the word two special Coordinators to the Chief Minister GB the word "and ten Coordinators to the Chief Minister,” the notification said.
As per the new rules notified, the coordinators shall be appointed by the chief minister and shall hold the office during his pleasure. They shall be entitled to a salary equal to half of the salary of a special assistant to the chief minister. - Posted on : 26-June-2021
PM nominates Khalid as PTI candidate for GB chief minister
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday nominated Khalid Khurshid as Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s candidate for the post of chief minister of Gilgit-Baltistan.
PTI chief organiser Saifullah Khan Nyazee made this announcement through a tweet.
According to sources, Mr Nyazee and federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Ali Amin Gandapur met Mr Khan in Islamabad on Friday to finalise the name of PTI candidate for the post of GB chief minister.
Mr Khurshid was elected member of the GB Legislative Assembly from GBLA-13 (Astore-1) constituency by defeating the PPP’s Abdul Hameed Khan by a margin of 1,719 votes. - Posted on : 28-November-2020
Four names sent to PM for G-B chief minister
Several names have emerged for the coveted position of chief minister of Gilgit-Baltistan as the new legislative assembly was sworn in on Wednesday, a day after the election commission of the region issued the official results of the regional election won by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
According to sources, four names – Fatehullah, Khalid Khurshid, Col R Obaidullah and Advocate Nazir Ahmed – are with Prime Minister Imran Khan for consideration. The sources also said that Huma Khalid was also among the contenders, adding that the prime minister can make a surprise choice.
G-B went to election on November 15 to elect 24 lawmakers of the legislative assembly on general seats. The voting was held on 23 seats as the election was delayed because of the death of a candidate. The by-poll to that seat was held last week.
On Wednesday, the G-B chief election commissioner announced the official results of the election, along with the allocation of 9 reserved seats for women and technocrats. According to the notification, the PTI gained two-thirds majority with the joining of six independent lawmakers.
According to the official results, PTI had 22 seats in the 33-strong house. The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) followed with 5 and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) 3. The Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and independent share one seat each.
All the newly-elected lawmakers were sworn during the inaugural session of the assembly, chaired by Speaker Haji Fida Muhammad Nashad. The speaker administered the oath. Addressing the session Nashad congratulated the newly-election members.
Nashad expressed hope that all the members would play their role in resolving issues issue of Gilgit-Baltistan. “People have trusted you and chose you for this great work, so must never disappoint the nation,” he said. Always uphold the dignity of the assembly and never tarnish its image.”
Later, the speaker adjourned the session for Thursday (today) evening for the election of the new speaker and deputy speaker. The schedule for the election of the two posts were also announced on Wednesday. - Posted on : 27-November-2020
No single party manages to secure simple majority
The Prime Minister Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has emerged as the leading party after it bagged nine out of the 23 Gilgit Baltistan (GB) Legislative Assembly seats in the elections held on Sunday.
According to unofficial results, the PPP came in second with three seats, while the PML-N secured two seats. JUI-F and MWM secured one seat each. Seven seats went to independent candidates, who are expected to play an important role in the formation of the next GB government.
PPP GB President Amjad Hussain Advocate managed to win from two constituencies — GBA-1 Gilgit-1 and GBA-4 Nagar-1. It is for the first time that any candidate has won two seats in the regional election. - Posted on : 20-November-2020
PTI finalises candidates for GB assembly
The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has finalised its candidates for the upcoming elections of Gilgit-Baltistant (GB) Legislative Assembly. Last month, PTI had decided to form an electoral alliance and make a seat adjustment with Majlis-e-Wahdatul Muslimeen (MWM), a political party representing Shia school of Islamic thought, for elections in GB. According to details, PTI has finalised tickets for 22 candidates for the same number of constituencies in GB while two seats have been given to MWM out of the total 24 general seats of the GB Legislative Assembly.
An office-bearer of PTI said that head of PTI’s parliamentary board Arshad Dad has formally issued the list of candidates who have been awarded tickets.
Earlier in September, President Dr Arif Alvi had announced that elections for the Legislative Assembly of GB would be held on Nov 15.
The elections for GB were earlier scheduled to be held on Aug 18 but were later postponed due to outbreak of Covid-19. The five-year term of the previous assembly of GB had ended on June 24. - Posted on : 10-October-2020
Army Chief visits Skardu and Gilgit
Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa has emphasized the need to ensure highest levels of readiness to respond effectively to the emerging threats.
Interacting with officers during his visit to Skardu and Gilgit on Tuesday, he appreciated their high morale, operational readiness under challenging environment and harsh weather conditions.
On his arrival at Skardu, Army Chief was briefed on latest situation and operational preparedness of the troops deployed along Line of Control.
He also inaugurated state-of-the-art Software Technology Park in Gilgit, an initiative of Special Communication Organization.
Speaking on the occasion, Qamar Javed Bajwa said establishment of IT clusters in remote areas will cast a great impact on innovation and digitization.
The facility will help create environment for research in the fields of Information Technology and defence communication by honing and harnessing the skills of our brilliant youth. - Posted on : 07-October-2020
PTI, MWM join hands to contest upcoming elections
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen Monday announced electoral alliance to contest the upcoming elections for the legislative assemblies of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB).
Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan Ali Amin Khan Gandapur made a formal announcement here at a press conference along with the Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shibli Faraz and representatives of MWM.
The minister said negotiation with another major political party Tehreek-e-Islami Pakistan was underway, which might also ally with the PTI in the election.
He expressed the confidence that most of the political parties would contest election in coalition with PTI in larger interest of the region.
The minister said the government had decided to elevate Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) to the status of a full-fledged province with all constitutional rights, including its representation in the Senate and the National Assembly.
Gandapur said that voting would be held in mid-November. “Elections will be held on time and our preparations are complete,” he added. - Posted on : 01-October-2020
GB to hold general election on Nov 15
On Wednesday, President Dr. Arif Alvi gave the go-ahead to hold general elections on the Gilgit-Baltistan (UK) Assembly on November 15th.
It approved a summary of the polls sent by Prime Minister Imran Khan. The UK Legislative Assembly was dissolved on June 24th at the end of its five-year term.
The UK Electoral Commission had previously postponed the legislative assembly elections and suspended the election manifesto published on July 2nd. The election platform had been suspended following a decision by the Commission following the decision of the UK Main Court. According to the election manifesto published on July 2nd, the elections should have taken place on August 18th. - Posted on : 28-September-2020
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