G-B poll body to seek party verification amid PML-N leadership dispute

GILGIT: As the internal power struggle within the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in Gilgit-Baltistan escalates, the region’s election commission has decided to seek verification from the party’s central secretariat in Lahore to confirm the legitimacy of its regional president.

The dispute centres around Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman, the former chief minister of Gilgit-Baltistan, whose leadership as president of the party’s regional chapter has been challenged by a faction of senior party members. More than 20 party leaders have questioned Hafeezur Rehman’s authority, contending that no formal intra-party elections were held to confirm him as the rightful leader.

A second faction, in defense of Hafeezur Rehman, presented a notification affirming his position as president. The notification is now under scrutiny by the Election Commission, which has referred the matter to the PML-N central secretariat for validation.

On Wednesday, Chief Election Commissioner Raja Shahbaz Khan presided over a hearing on the issue. After reviewing arguments from both sides, the CEC announced that the Election Commission would seek confirmation of the notification from the party’s leadership in Lahore.

The PML-N’s official website currently lists Hafeezur Rehman as president and Haji Akbar Taban as general secretary of the party’s Gilgit-Baltistan chapter. However, Taban, alongside his supporters, has been vocal in contesting Rehman’s leadership, claiming that intra-party elections were never conducted and that the former chief minister’s presidency is illegitimate.

The controversy arose following a notice issued by the Gilgit-Baltistan Election Commission Secretariat on September 18, 2024, asking Hafeezur Rehman to provide documentation of the intra-party elections and the details of current office-bearers. In response, Taban’s group challenged the notice itself, asserting that such elections had not occurred and that Rehman should not hold the office.

In a brief chat with HUM News English, Chief Election Commissioner Raja Shahbaz Khan confirmed that the notification would be sent to Lahore for verification. He added that once the confirmation is received, the Election Commission will proceed with a final decision on the case.