Bilawal Bhutto vows to protect Gilgit-Baltistan’s mandate ahead of July 7 polls

GILGIT: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Friday vowed to protect the mandate of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), saying his party would ensure that the region’s voice was fairly represented at the national level.

Addressing a public gathering in Gilgit city ahead of the general elections, Bilawal recalled his previous election campaign in the region, saying he had spent nearly a month visiting divisions, districts and tehsils to present the PPP manifesto.

He claimed that the PPP had secured the highest number of votes and seats during the previous electoral cycle.

“This time I have returned not alone, but with Aseefa Bhutto Zardari,” Bilawal said, adding that the party leadership would jointly work to safeguard the public mandate.

The PPP chairman alleged that his party had faced administrative obstacles during previous elections and stressed that no political party aligned with the federal government should receive preferential treatment.

He said the PPP would not allow any injustice against its candidates or supporters in the region.

Referring to regional and international developments, Bilawal said the Muslim world was facing difficult circumstances, mentioning the situations in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran.

He urged the people of Gilgit-Baltistan to carefully consider who could best represent their interests during these challenging times, adding that the PPP had maintained a long-standing relationship with the region.

Bilawal said it was important for the voice of Gilgit-Baltistan to reach Islamabad and the international community, adding that former president Asif Ali Zardari was well positioned to advocate for the region.

Speaking about national security, he said Pakistan’s nuclear capability had strengthened the country’s defence and described it as an important safeguard for national sovereignty.

He also credited former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto with laying the foundation of Pakistan’s nuclear programme and said former prime minister Benazir Bhutto had contributed to the country’s missile technology development.

Bilawal termed the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project important for the country’s future energy needs and said it had been initiated under PPP leadership.

He added that decisions taken during Asif Ali Zardari’s tenure had strengthened Pakistan’s sovereignty and independent foreign policy.

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The PPP chairman also said his party had always pursued policies aimed at ensuring that Pakistan’s territory was not used against other countries, describing the PPP as a peace-loving political force committed to regional stability.

Outlining his party’s vision for Gilgit-Baltistan, Bilawal said the PPP was working on three key principles, including securing the right of governance for the people of the region.

He said the party’s struggle for the political and constitutional rights of Gilgit-Baltistan had continued across three generations, beginning with the policies of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and continuing through Benazir Bhutto’s leadership.

Bilawal claimed that the PPP government in 2008 had provided Gilgit-Baltistan with greater administrative recognition and had expanded political participation in the region.

He said the party remained committed to economic policies focused on farmers, labourers and youth, adding that its “right to employment” agenda would also be extended to Gilgit-Baltistan.

“Our focus has always been on the poor, because when the poor progress, the entire country moves forward,” he said, pledging that the PPP would continue its efforts for the development and constitutional rights of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.