In response to ongoing political upheaval in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), the federal government has decisively ousted GB Inspector-General (IG) Dar Ali Khan Khattak, replacing him with Afzal Mahmood Butt.
The Establishment Division issued an immediate notification detailing Dar Ali Khan Khattak’s removal and consequent relocation, commanding him to report to the Establishment Division until further orders are given.
Simultaneously, a second notice declared Afzal Mahmood Butt, previously serving under the Government of Punjab, as the new inspector general of police for the GB government under the auspices of the Civil Servants Act, 1973. This transition in leadership comes at a particularly critical juncture of political unrest in the territory.
Political Turmoil and Upcoming Chief Minister Elections
Earlier, the Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Court had taken significant steps by suspending the upcoming chief minister elections schedule and issuing a stay order against the new CM election. This legal intervention transpired after law enforcement officers evacuated lawmakers present in the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly for the CM election and sealed the assembly premises.
These drastic measures follow in the wake of Khalid Khurshid’s disqualification as GB chief minister by the regional court in a fraudulent degree case.
In a video statement, the ousted CM expressed his belief that the election was being purposefully delayed as the PTI had a clear majority.
Simultaneously, internal divisions within Gilgit-Baltistan PTI have come to the fore, with health minister Haji Gulbar Khan leading a forward block. The block, claiming the support of seven to eight estranged PTI members of the GB Legislative Assembly, adds another layer to the unfolding political complexity.
The PTI, which currently holds the majority in the legislature with 22 members, has nominated Raja Azam Khan as its candidate for the next GB chief minister. Amid this chaos, four candidates, 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.
All these events mark a crucial period in GB’s political landscape, with the turmoil raising concerns over the stability and future of the region.
