The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has emerged as the largest party in the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly elections, winning 10 out of the 24 general seats, based on final unofficial and preliminary results compiled late Sunday night.
Polling for the 24 general seats took place on Sunday, with vote counting extending into the early hours of Monday across the mountainous region. As the full results became clear, initial trends shifted notably, with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) mounting a strong late-night comeback to secure the position of the second-largest party.
The PPP solidified its dominance across various regions, maintaining a strong performance that anchored its lead. Early victories were particularly concentrated in the Baltistan division, where the party won multiple constituencies in the Skardu and Nagar districts. Among the significant wins, PPP candidate Mohammad Ali Akhtar defeated Islami Tehreek Pakistan’s Mohammad Ayub Waziri in GBA-4 (Nagar).
Additionally, the party successfully defended key strongholds with Zulfiqar Ali Murad’s win in GBA-5 (Nagar), Syed Tauqeer Mehdi’s triumph in GBA-7 (Skardu), and Fida Mohammad Nashad’s success in GBA-9 (Skardu). Further important victories in GBA-1 (Gilgit), GBA-10 (Roundu), GBA-11 (Kharmang), GBA-12 (Shigar), GBA-17 (Darel), and GBA-19 (Ghizer) reinforced PPP’s position as the leading force in the upcoming assembly.
Meanwhile, the PML-N made significant late gains as results from remote polling stations arrived, ending the contest with six seats. Besides Ibrahim Sanai’s victory in GBA-22 (Ghanche), the party secured crucial wins in GBA-2 (Gilgit), GBA-13 and GBA-14 (Astore), GBA-18 (Tangir), and GBA-20 (Ghizer), enhancing its regional influence.
Independent candidates and smaller political groups also captured a substantial portion of the legislature, collectively winning seven seats. This group includes five independent candidates and two independents supported by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Notably, independent Syed Sohail Abbas won GBA-3 (Gilgit) after a tight race, with other independents making significant advances in Diamer and Yasin.
In a notable outcome, the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) retained one seat, with Mohammad Asim prevailing in GBA-8 (Skardu) in a closely contested battle against the PPP.
Since no party achieved the 13-seat majority needed for outright control of the general seats, attention now turns to the capital, where political negotiations have already begun. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed gratitude to voters and indicated that his party will take the lead in forming a coalition government in Gilgit-Baltistan.
