Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday invited the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) to form the government in Gilgit-Baltistan, acknowledging that the PPP had emerged as the majority party in the region’s legislative assembly elections.

“We invite the PPP to form the government in Gilgit-Baltistan,” the prime minister said, adding that PML-N has decided to sit in the opposition in the GB assembly.

He said PML-N’s elected members will vote in favour of the PPP, and that the decision was taken in line with democratic traditions and the party’s commitment to treating allied parties with respect.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari welcomed the prime minister’s statement and thanked him for recognising the party’s majority in Gilgit-Baltistan. Bilawal said the acknowledgement was a continuation of democratic tradition and that the PPP views the invitation positively.

He said that under the consensus arrangement, the posts of GB governor and deputy speaker will go to PML-N.

Bilawal also thanked the people of Gilgit-Baltistan for their trust, saying the party had been given the responsibility to protect their rights to property, livelihood, and constitutional entitlements — a responsibility the PPP would fulfil.

According to unofficial results based on Forms-47 issued by returning officers, the PPP won 11 of the 24 GB assembly seats in the June 7 elections.

PML-N trailed with six seats, while PTI-backed candidates secured two seats and its ally MWM won one. Independent candidates claimed the remaining four seats.