ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday approved the schedule for general elections in Gilgit Baltistan, setting January 24, 2026 as the polling date, according to an official notification.
Following the approval, Chief Election Commissioner Abid Ali said the Election Commission of Gilgit Baltistan will issue a detailed schedule in the coming days. He noted that the commission plans to convene an all-parties conference to consult major political groups ahead of the polls.
The region has been under a caretaker setup since November 24, when the Gilgit Baltistan Assembly completed its five-year term. Justice retired Yar Muhammad Nasir, a former judge of the Gilgit Baltistan Chief Court, is currently serving as the caretaker chief minister.
The previous elections in Gilgit Baltistan were held in November 2020 across 24 constituencies. The Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf secured a majority and formed the government with Khalid Khurshid as chief minister. In July 2023, the Gilgit Baltistan Chief Court disqualified Khurshid, after which a coalition of PTI dissidents, the PPP and the PML N elected Haji Gulbar Khan to lead the government.
