Former G-B chief minister quits the party, announces joining of Aleem Khan-led party
Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Haji Gulbar Khan. Photo: File
ISLAMABAD:
The Istehkam Pakistan Party (IPP) formally entered Gilgit-Baltistan’s political scene on Tuesday after 14 influential figures led by former chief minister Haji Gulbar Khan quit the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and announced joining of Aleem Khan-led party.
The announcement was made during a press conference in Islamabad attended by former governor Raja Jalal Maqpoon, former chief minister Haji Gulbar Khan, former opposition leader Captain (retd) Shafi, former minister Fatehullah Khan, Haji Shah Baig, Shamsullah Haq, Maulana Sultan Rais, former minister Dilshad Bano and other political leaders.
Welcoming the new entrants, IPP President Aleem Khan said this was the party’s first formal step into Gilgit-Baltistan politics and confirmed that IPP would contest the upcoming Gilgit-Baltistan elections for the first time.
Rejecting claims of disloyalty to PTI, Aleem Khan said he had not rebelled against the party, adding that he himself had been betrayed. Addressing the gathering, Aleem Khan said Gilgit-Baltistan had the potential to become one of the world’s leading tourist destinations.
He stressed that the welfare of the region’s people would remain IPP’s top priority. “The party will pursue a new, positive and tolerance-based politics, pledging to generate development funds through local resources rather than relying on federal handouts,” he said.
Highlighting tourism opportunities, Aleem Khan announced plans to establish five-star hotels and said no additional taxes would be imposed on the local population. He added that international flights from Skardu Airport had already helped boost tourism.
