GILGIT: Political campaigning in Gilgit-Baltistan has entered its final, heated stretch, with PML-N President Nawaz Sharif and PPP leader Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari cleared to join election activities ahead of the June 7 polls.
The GB Election Commission has issued no-objection certificates for Nawaz Sharif, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari to visit the region for campaign events. Nawaz is expected to meet PML-N ticket-holders during a one-day visit, while Aseefa is scheduled to address PPP gatherings as part of the party’s final push.
For the PPP, Bilawal and Aseefa are leading an aggressive campaign tour across Shigar, Khaplu, Skardu, Diamer, Hunza, Ghizer, Nagar and Gilgit. The party is trying to frame the contest around constitutional rights, local self-rule and greater authority for GB’s elected institutions.
Bilawal, speaking at a rally in Shigar, said GB’s elections should eventually be held alongside Pakistan’s general elections, arguing that this would strengthen the region’s struggle for self-rule. He also said any future constitutional change must protect GB’s rights.
PML-N, meanwhile, is leaning hard on its development pitch. Party leaders have argued that GB deserves a share in the National Finance Commission and have urged voters to judge parties by past governance and development work.
The campaign is not without controversy. PTI has accused authorities of pre-poll rigging and objected to the deployment of Punjab police in the region, while officials say campaign permissions are being handled under the election code.
Polling is scheduled for June 7, after an earlier delay of nearly four months. The final days now look set to be a three-way test of organisation, turnout and trust — with GB’s long-running demand for political rights sitting right at the centre of the campaign.
