The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) have agreed to continue contacts and consultations regarding the forthcoming elections in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Former prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and Qamar Zaman Kaira held talks with Federal Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain and Tariq Hassan as part of high-level contacts between the two parties. The leaders discussed the electoral situation in Gilgit-Baltistan and held detailed discussions on a joint strategy for the elections.
Various aspects of government formation and possible political cooperation were also considered during the meeting. The PPP delegation included Gilgit-Baltistan Governor Syed Mehdi Shah, Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider and senior party leader Chaudhry Manzoor.
The PML-Q delegation was led by central spokesperson Ghulam Mustafa Malik. Aneela Ayaz Chaudhry, Rizwan Sadiq and Gilgit-Baltistan provincial president Dilfraz Khan also attended the meeting. Both parties agreed to maintain the process of contacts and consultations and expressed satisfaction over the positive progress made during the talks, which were held in a cordial atmosphere.
Syed Mehdi Shah said the mutual respect between President Asif Ali Zardari and Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain would be strengthened. He added that a joint strategy could produce better results in the electoral contest.
Sardar Saleem Haider said prospects for political cooperation in Gilgit-Baltistan were encouraging and that continued engagement between the two parties would support public interest and political stability.
Ghulam Mustafa Malik said the meeting was held on the instructions of PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain.
He said the party delegation had also taken senior leaders Chaudhry Shafay Hussain, Dr Amjad and Punjab President Malik Sameen into confidence.
Malik added that all decisions would be taken following consultation with, and approval from, the party leadership.
