LAHORE, Jan 3 Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Mehdi Shah says new governor of the region may be picked from any province.

Talking to the media at the residence of PPP legislator Faiza Malik here on Sunday, he said the area would soon have a female governor.

Senior Punjab Minister Raja Riaz, PPP's Punjab president Rana Aftab, Lahore president Asghar Gujjar and Zekria Butt were present on the occasion.

Shah said Shia-Sunni divide in the area was a 'gift' of Gen Zia who sowed seeds of sectarianism across the country.

He also blamed the PML-N for introducing Shia-Sunni factor in the elections.

He said local elections in Gilgit-Baltistan would be held in May this year and it was his desire that they should be held on party basis.

The chief minister said his government would take care of those affected by Bhasha Dam construction.

He dispelled the impression that the MQM candidate won in recent Gilgit-Baltistan elections due to popularity of Altaf Hussain in the Northern Areas.

“He (MQM man) won because of his personal vote-bank,” he added.