ISLAMABAD: PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Friday welcomed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s statement regarding the formation of a government in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and expressed his gratitude.

The PPP is all set to form a government in the region after it gained 11 out of 24 seats in the GB Legi­slative Assembly, according to the unofficial results (Form-47) of the June 7 elections.

According to Radio Pakistan, the prime minister assured full support from the PML-N to the PPP on government formation.

The prime minister said the PML-N has decided to sit on the opposition benches in the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly, but its elected members will vote in favour of the PPP to form the government.

In a statement, Bilawal said that recognising the PPP’s majority in GB is the continuation of a democratic tradition and added that the party views the premier’s invitation to form the government as a “positive step”.

“As a result of a consensus agreement, the positions of governor and deputy speaker of Gilgit-Baltistan will be allocated to the PML-N,” he was quoted as saying. “The PPP will utilise all its capabilities to serve the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.”

The party chairman specifically thanked the people of GB, saying that by placing their trust in the PPP, they entrusted the responsibility of safeguarding their property rights, employment rights, and constitutional rights to the party.

“The Pakistan Peoples Party will fulfil this responsibility effectively and with dedication,” he concluded.

A day earlier, delegations of the PPP and PML-N met in GB to discuss proposals for forming a government in the region after the recent elections. Key leaders from both parties held detailed consultations on government formation proposals.

In its statement, the PPP described the talks as a “major breakthrough”, saying both parties agreed to present proposals to their respective central leaderships.

It said the discussions also covered political cooperation and various national and regional issues.