Nawaz, Bilawal intensify campaigns as Gilgit-Baltistan polls enter final stretch

SKARDU/GILGIT: Pakistan’s political heavyweights intensified their election campaigns in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) on Tuesday, with Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Nawaz Sharif addressing large public gatherings and outlining their respective visions for the region ahead of the June 7 elections.

The election campaign entered its decisive phase as leaders of the country’s major political parties sought to win public support in the strategically important mountainous region, where general elections are scheduled to take place on Sunday following a four-month postponement caused by severe winter weather.

Addressing a massive rally in Skardu, attended by First Lady Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari reiterated the PPP’s commitment to securing greater constitutional, political and economic rights for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Bilawal said the future struggle of the younger generation of the PPP would focus on achieving three fundamental rights for the people of the region: the right to govern (haq-i-hakimiyat), the right to ownership (haq-i-malkiyat) and the right to employment (haq-i-rozgaar).

He maintained that the people of Gilgit-Baltistan should enjoy the same constitutional protections, powers and facilities available under the 18th Constitutional Amendment, arguing that genuine empowerment could only be achieved through enhanced local authority and decision-making powers.

“The mountains, rivers, land and mineral wealth of Gilgit-Baltistan belong to its people,” Bilawal declared. “Until Islamabad fully recognises this ownership, neither Gilgit-Baltistan nor Pakistan can achieve its true development potential.”

The PPP chairman advocated greater public participation in future development projects and resource-based ventures, urging local communities to seek ownership stakes rather than merely financial compensation.

Bilawal argued that recognising the region’s ownership rights would unlock vast economic opportunities, stimulate investment and create sustainable employment for local youth.

Promising a people-centred governance model, he highlighted the PPP’s record of welfare-oriented policies and pledged to launch a Gilgit-Baltistan People’s Housing Initiative if elected to power in the region. Drawing parallels with the Sindh Peoples Housing for Flood Affectees programme, he said the initiative would provide affordable housing and social protection for vulnerable segments of society.

He also promised to expand access to free healthcare by establishing modern specialist hospitals in Gilgit-Baltistan similar to those operating in Karachi.

Turning to the region’s immense hydropower potential, Bilawal said studies had shown that Gilgit-Baltistan possessed the capacity to generate up to 50,000 megawatts of electricity. He pledged to develop the infrastructure required to harness these resources and transform the region into a major energy hub.

Bilawal began his speech by condemning Israeli attacks on Iran and expressing solidarity with the people of Iran and Palestine. He also praised Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to promote peace in the region and acknowledged the role played by Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir in ongoing peace initiatives.

He warned that continued regional conflicts were contributing to global economic instability and inflation, disproportionately affecting ordinary citizens, particularly the poor and working classes.

Meanwhile, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif addressed a public gathering in Gilgit, where he expressed disappointment over what he described as the region’s lack of development despite its immense natural beauty and strategic importance.

Speaking emotionally, Nawaz said he had always held Gilgit-Baltistan close to his heart and was saddened by the condition of its infrastructure.

“When I left the airport and saw the roads, my heart cried,” he remarked. “I could not understand why the resources allocated for the welfare of the people were not utilised properly.”

Without directly naming political opponents, Nawaz questioned why successive administrations had failed to continue key development projects initiated during his tenure.

The PML-N president highlighted his government’s contributions to infrastructure development, including roads, hospitals, power projects and hydropower facilities, while recalling efforts to improve regional connectivity through major road construction schemes.

He pointed to the reduction in travel time between Gilgit and Skardu as a significant achievement and stressed that further connectivity projects were essential for economic growth and tourism development.

Nawaz also criticised the failure to expand Gilgit Airport and announced that he would urge Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to upgrade the facility to accommodate larger commercial aircraft and boost tourism.

Addressing chronic electricity shortages in the region, he described prolonged power outages as unacceptable and pledged to pursue comprehensive solutions through hydropower and solar energy projects.

The former premier further promised to advocate the construction of a women’s university, expansion of the existing cancer hospital, introduction of affordable housing schemes and provision of interest-free business loans for young entrepreneurs.

Referring to Gilgit-Baltistan’s central role in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Nawaz stressed the need to accelerate development initiatives that could transform the region into a major economic gateway.

He also recalled efforts made during his previous tenure to secure Gilgit-Baltistan’s share in the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award and lamented that many planned reforms remained unfinished following his removal from office.

Calling June 7 an important day for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, Nawaz urged voters to support the PML-N based on its performance and development record rather than political slogans.

The election campaign in Gilgit-Baltistan has gathered significant momentum in recent days, with major political parties focusing on issues such as constitutional rights, resource ownership, employment opportunities, infrastructure development, healthcare, education and energy shortages.

As polling day approaches, both the PPP and PML-N are seeking to position themselves as the party best equipped to address the longstanding aspirations of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan and steer the region towards greater prosperity and political empowerment.