Bilawal says Gilgit-Baltistan local body polls to be held before winter

GILGIT: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Monday said local government elections in Gilgit-Baltistan would be held before the onset of winter, while reaffirming his party’s commitment to securing constitutional rights for the region.

Speaking after the oath-taking ceremony of newly elected Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Amjad Hussain, Bilawal said the regional government would prioritise merit and continue efforts to secure constitutional guarantees for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Congratulating Amjad Hussain on assuming office, he said the PPP-led government would work with all political parties, including the opposition, to address public issues through consensus.

Bilawal thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for recognising the PPP’s electoral mandate in Gilgit-Baltistan and also acknowledged the support of the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) in the formation of the coalition government.

He said it was unfortunate that some political parties had stayed away from the elections but pledged that the government would protect the public mandate and would not allow anyone to undermine it.

Bilawal said politics in Pakistan had increasingly become associated with confrontation and hostility, adding that the PPP wanted to strengthen democratic traditions by promoting reconciliation and cooperation between the government and the opposition.

He reiterated the PPP’s longstanding position on granting constitutional rights to Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, expressing hope that elected representatives from Gilgit-Baltistan would one day take seats in Pakistan’s National Assembly.

Referring to India, Bilawal accused New Delhi of attempting to use water as a political weapon and said Pakistan would defend its national interests.

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“There will be no compromise on the Indus Waters Treaty or the waters of the Indus River,” he said, adding that if Pakistan had to struggle or even fight to protect its water rights, the PPP would stand by the country’s position.

Bilawal also alleged that India was pursuing an “Israeli model” by engaging in proxy warfare after its defeat and claimed New Delhi was attempting to destabilise Pakistan through Afghanistan. He did not provide evidence to support the allegation.

India has repeatedly rejected Pakistan’s allegations that it supports militancy inside the country.