Tehrik-e-Jafaria to join hands with PMLN in Gilgit-Baltistan Elections

Gilgit-based Urdu newspaper has reported that Shia party led by Allama Sajid Naqvi may form an electoral alliance with the Pakistan Muslim League seeking the position of Governor of Gilgit-Baltistan province.

“Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has contacted TJP officials for electoral alliance. There is strong possibility that top leadership of both parties meet in Gilgit-Baltistan when Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will visit the region,” reported Baad-e-Shumaal.

The newspaper further reported that Allama Sajid Naqvi’s party has summoned central committee meeting to discuss the proposal of the PMLN for electoral alliance.

On the other hand, reports had it that the TJP had covertly backed the PMLN’s officials in the recent bye-election in Bhakkar district of Punjab province.

TJP had struck a deal with Pakistan People’s Party of Bhuttos and Zardari who ruled Gilgit-Baltistan and their tenure ends this week. PPP also offered some slots to the TJP but the promised power-sharing was not implemented altogether. PPP leadership had assured that the TJP’s nominee would be elected Senator from Sindh province and another their nominee would be appointed advisor to the Chief Minister Sindh would.

PPP appointed minister and advisor in G-B government of Mehdi Shah and PPP’s AJK government but they had betrayed the TJP in Sindh. That partial power-sharing could force the TJP to look for alternate electoral alliance.

But, this time, tough electoral contests would take place in Gilgit-Baltistan’s elections because leading Shia party Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen is also fielded and the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf of Imran Khan also announced its participation in the G-B elections.