GILGIT: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari announced on Monday that local government elections in Gilgit-Baltistan are scheduled to take place before the onset of winter. He reaffirmed his party’s dedication to securing constitutional rights for the region.
Addressing the gathering after the swearing-in of the newly elected Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Amjad Hussain, Bilawal emphasized that the regional administration would focus on merit-based governance and persist in efforts to obtain constitutional guarantees for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.
He extended his congratulations to Amjad Hussain on assuming office and highlighted the PPP-led government’s intention to collaborate with all political factions, including opposition parties, to resolve public issues through consensus.
Bilawal expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for acknowledging the PPP’s electoral mandate in Gilgit-Baltistan and also recognized the support of the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) in forming the coalition government.
He lamented that some political parties chose to boycott the elections but assured that the government would uphold the public mandate and prevent any attempts to undermine it.
Notably, Bilawal remarked that Pakistani politics has increasingly been marked by confrontation and hostility. He stated that the PPP aims to foster reconciliation and uphold democratic traditions by encouraging cooperation between the government and opposition.
He reiterated the PPP’s longstanding stance on granting constitutional rights to both Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, expressing hope that representatives from Gilgit-Baltistan would eventually have seats in Pakistan’s National Assembly.
Turning to international concerns, Bilawal accused India of attempting to politicize water resources, declaring that Pakistan would vigorously defend its national interests. He stressed that there would be no compromise on the Indus Waters Treaty or the waters of the Indus River, adding that the PPP would support Pakistan even if it meant struggling or engaging in conflict to protect its water rights.
Furthermore, Bilawal alleged that India has adopted an “Israeli model” of proxy warfare following its setbacks, accusing New Delhi of trying to destabilize Pakistan through Afghanistan. He did not provide evidence to substantiate this claim. India has consistently denied allegations of supporting militancy within Pakistan.
