Lead

Advocate Amjad Hussain was sworn in as the chief minister of Gilgit-Baltistan on Monday, with his party chairman, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, attending the ceremony. The oath was administered by Governor Syed Mehdi Shah at Chinar Bagh. The ceremony, initially scheduled for July 1, had been postponed because Bilawal went to Iran to attend the funeral of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Coverage comparison

Dawn reported that Hussain was elected unopposed as Leader of the House on June 22, following the June 7 elections in which the PPP emerged as the largest party, with 12 seats in the 24-member Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly. The ceremony was attended by central and local PPP leadership, members of the assembly, and government officials.

The postponement and rescheduling were covered in separate reports. One noted that the ceremony was originally set for July 1 but was delayed due to Bilawal's absence. Another report, published later, confirmed that the ceremony took place on Monday, with Bilawal having returned from Iran. Dawn also reported that the GB government would seek additional federal funds to tackle the climate crisis, as stated by CM-elect Hussain.

Additionally, Dawn reported that the GB Supreme Appellate Court ordered re-polling at Loshi Polling Station in GBA-15 Diamer and other polling stations, a development that was mentioned alongside the swearing-in coverage.

Key claims

  • Swearing-in ceremony: Hussain took the oath as chief minister on Monday, with Bilawal in attendance.
  • PPP's electoral performance: The PPP won 12 seats in the 24-member assembly, emerging as the largest party.
  • Postponement: The ceremony was originally scheduled for July 1 but was postponed because Bilawal was attending Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's funeral in Iran.
  • Climate crisis funding: CM-elect Hussain said the GB government would seek additional funds from the federal government to address the devastating impacts of climate change.
  • Public funds utilisation: He also said the government would ensure effective utilisation of public funds for the welfare of local people.
  • Provisional provincial status: Dawn reported that the PPP proposed provisional provincial status for GB in response to India's move in Kashmir.
  • Bilawal's schedule: After returning from Iran, Bilawal reached Skardu and then proceeded to Gilgit. He was scheduled to attend a memorial for the martyrs of the Gilgit-Baltistan War of Independence, where he would address the gathering.
  • Cabinet composition: According to sources cited by Dawn, the PPP planned to include the Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP) in the government, with three ministries allocated to it. The PML-N supported the PPP's candidate under an agreement, with the deputy speaker chosen from the PML-N, and the party to receive the governor's post and the opposition leader slot.
  • Re-polling: The GB Supreme Appellate Court ordered re-polling at Loshi Polling Station and other stations.

Perspectives

  • PPP leadership: Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari attended the swearing-in, and the PPP celebrated its electoral success, with Hussain emphasising a people-friendly government and the party's slogans of Right to Rule, Right to Land Ownership, and Right to Employment.
  • CM-elect Hussain: He highlighted the challenges of climate change and financial crisis, pledging to seek federal funds and ensure effective use of public money.
  • Government agencies: The GB Supreme Appellate Court issued the re-polling order, indicating judicial oversight in the electoral process.