Gilgit-Baltistan IG removed amid ‘political turmoil’

GILGIT: The federal government has removed Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) Inspector-General (IG) Dar Ali Khan Khattak amid ‘political turmoil’ in the territory, ARY News reported on Wednesday.

According to details, Dar Ali Khan was removed as the GB inspector general and replaced by Afzal Mahmood Butt.

“Dar Ali Khan Khattak, a BS-20 officer of Police Service of Pakistan, Government of Gilgit-Baltistan, is transferred and directed to report to the Establishment Division, with immediate effect and until further orders,” stated a notification issued by Establishment Division.

In a separate notification, the division stated: “Afzal Mahmood Butt, a BS-20 officer of the Police Service of Pakistan, presently serving under the Government of Punjab, is transferred and posted as the inspector general of police, Government of Gilgit-Baltistan, under Section 10 of the Civil Servants Act, 1973.”

Earlier in the day, the Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Court issued a stay order against the election of the new chief minister and suspended the schedule already issued for the CM election.

The move came after police officials sealed the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly and evacuated lawmakers present there for CM election.

Meanwhile, the ex-chief minister, in a video statement, alleged that the election was being delayed because the PTI had a “clear majority”.

The situation unfolds in the aftermath of disqualification of GB chief minister Khalid Khurshid by the regional court.

The Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Court had disqualified chief minister Khalid Khursheed Khan in a fake degree case.

‘Forward block emerges’

Fissures have emerged in Gilgit-Baltistan PTI with a forward block in the party led by health minister Haji Gulbar Khan.

Haji Gulbar Khan has claimed to have support of seven to eight estranged PTI members of the GB Legislative Assembly.

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), which has majority in the legislature with 22 members, has nominated Raja Azam Khan as its candidate for the next chief minister of Gilgit Baltistan.

Amjad Hussain Advocate, PTI’s Raja Azam, PML-N’s Engineer Mohammad Anwar and JUI’s Rehmat Khaliq have submitted their nomination papers for the chief minister’s election.

“We condemn the May 09 incidents,” GB PTI’s estranged member Haji Gulbar Khan said.

Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly have total 33 members strength with PTI have 22 members in the house, PPP five members, PML-N three, JUI-F and MWM have one member each along with an independent member of the house.