The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has executed a major expulsion within its Gilgit-Baltistan chapter, revoking the basic party membership of the region’s Chief Minister, Gulbar Khan, and eleven other members of the GB Assembly. The action, announced through an official notification on Sunday, was taken on grounds of severe disciplinary breaches. The members were found guilty of violating core party policy, engaging in the formation of a forward bloc, and casting votes contrary to the party’s official stance.
Among the prominent figures ousted are Chief Minister Gulbar Khan, Shamsul Haq Lone, Raja Azam, and Abdul Hameed. The list also includes Amjad Zaidi, Haji Shah Baig, Suraiya Zaman, Raja Nasir Maqpoon, Mushtaq Ahmed, Dilshad Bano, and Fazlur Rahim. In a related move, the party has also issued a show-cause notice to former GB governor, Raja Jalal Hussain Maqpoon, demanding an explanation for his conduct.
The notification explicitly bars all expelled individuals from using the PTI’s name, its flag, or any of its platforms for any purpose moving forward. This decisive step is aimed at preventing the members from leveraging the party’s identity after their dismissal and signals a zero-tolerance policy towards indiscipline and factionalism.
Haji Gulbar Khan, a estranged member, was elected as the Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan in 2023, securing an overwhelming 19 out of 20 votes. He had previously held the portfolio of Health Minister in the previous PTI-led GB government. His ascent to the chief ministerial role occurred after his predecessor, Khalid Khurshid Khan, was disqualified by the GB Chief Court over allegations of obtaining a bar license with a fake degree.
