By Shabbir Mir in The Express Tribune, May 14
GILGIT: The president of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) chapter Hafizur Rehman seems to have become the de facto chief minister (CM) following his party’s landslide victory in the general polls.
Currently, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is the ruling party in G-B’s coalition government, with Mehdi Shah as the CM and Pir Karam Ali Shah as governor. A change at the centre is bound to affect the government of G-B because it is dependent on the federal government for funds and its budget.
The PML-N’s office in Gilgit was seen flooded by people from all walks of life coming to congratulate Rehman on his party’s success for the second consecutive day after the unofficial results were announced.
Apart from the general public, Rehman is reportedly being greeted by his political opponents, ruling parties’ lawmakers and bureaucrats alike.
CM Mehdi Shah also called Rehman to congratulate him, though he could not get through to him the first three times owing to Rehman’s “busy schedule”.
“The situation in G-B has changed suddenly. It seems the PML-N is the ruling party and Rehman the new chief minister,” said Khalid Iqbal, a senior analyst. “I don’t think the PML-N central leadership will act against the G-B government, but it is very likely that Shah will be made accountable for what he has done during the past three years in power.”
Rehman has ruled out the possibility of toppling Shah’s government before it completes its tenure in 2014. However, it is widely believed Shah’s heydays have come to an end.
Rehman’s close aides claim dozens of government officials and rival party leaders have approached him, ‘offering their services.’
Shah, in an attempt to downplay the hype surrounding PML-N’s victory, has said the win will not affect his government. In a statement issued late on Sunday, Shah said: “Certain people of a dictatorial mindset may wish to topple the government, but I am sure the independent media and judiciary will not let that happen.”
http://tribune.com.pk/story/548797/power-politics-pml-n-g-b-chief-de-facto-chief-minister/
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