Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party

A personal security guard of former Azad Jammu and Kashmir prime minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas was killed when his convoy came under fire in Poonch district. The guard, Muhammad Asif, was shot while shielding Ilyas during the attack near Tain-Dhalkot bridge over the Jhelum River. Ilyas alleged the attack was by members of the banned Joint Awami Action Committee, though this claim remains unverified.

Advocate Amjad Hussain, the chief minister-elect of Gilgit-Baltistan, will take the oath of office today after a postponement. Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, chairman of the PPP, returned from Iran to attend the ceremony and will help decide the cabinet composition, including three ministries for the Istehkam-i-Pakistan Party (IPP). The GB Supreme Appellate Court has ordered re-polling at multiple stations in Diamer.

Newly elected members of the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly were sworn in, with 30 representatives including lawmakers, women on reserved seats, and technocrats. Political alliances between PPP, PML-N, and IPP are expected to shape the government, with Advocate Amjad Hussain likely to become chief minister.

PPP's Amjad Hussain is set to become Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan, marking a shift from the Centre's political dominance. The PPP, with support from PML-N and IPP, aims to grant provisional provincial status to GB. The first session of the GB Assembly will elect key leadership roles.

Polling began in Gilgit-Baltistan for 24 seats of the Legislative Assembly after a four-month delay caused by winter weather. A total of 396 candidates, including 266 independents and eight women, are contesting the elections, with 963,034 registered voters across 10 districts. Security includes 6,000 Punjab police and 2,000 Islamabad police personnel.

Gilgit-Baltistan will hold legislative assembly elections on Sunday for 24 constituencies after a four-month delay due to winter weather. The PPP and other parties have campaigned actively, with 396 candidates including 266 independents and eight women contesting. The GB Election Commission reported 958,480 registered voters, and election authorities emphasized transparency and adherence to electoral laws.