GILGIT: The Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) has emerged as the largest party in the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly elections, securing 10 of the 24 directly contested seats.
It is positioning itself to lead the next government in the strategically important region that forms part of the erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir.
According to unofficial and preliminary results announced after Sunday's polling, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) finished second with six seats, while independent candidates secured seven constituencies, including two backed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM) won one seat.
The election, delayed by nearly four months due to severe winter conditions, was held across all 10 districts of Gilgit-Baltistan. More than 963,000 registered voters were eligible to cast their ballots, while 396 candidates contested the polls. Authorities deployed thousands of security personnel across 1,391 polling stations, many of which were declared sensitive because of their remote locations and security concerns.
The outcome marks a significant political comeback for the PPP in a region where PTI swept the last elections in 2020. The results also reinforce a long-observed political trend in Gilgit-Baltistan, where the party enjoying influence in Islamabad often performs strongly in regional elections.
Although the PPP has emerged as the largest party, it remains short of an outright majority in the 33-member assembly. The Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly comprises 24 elected seats, six reserved seats for women, and three reserved seats for technocrats and professionals. A party or coalition requires at least 17 members to command a majority.
Political observers believe the allocation of reserved seats will further strengthen the PPP's position. The party is expected to receive the largest share of women's and technocrat seats, bringing it closer to the threshold required to form the government. Support from independent legislators could comfortably secure a majority.
The elections were closely watched because of Gilgit-Baltistan's unique constitutional position. Although administered by Pakistan, the region remains part of the larger Jammu and Kashmir and does not enjoy full provincial status. Successive governments in Islamabad have promised constitutional reforms, but the issue remains unresolved.
During the campaign, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari reiterated his party's commitment to granting greater constitutional rights and representation to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan. PML-N leaders also pledged reforms, while local nationalist groups continued to press for greater autonomy and local control over natural resources.
Economic Concerns
Economic concerns dominated much of the campaign. Voters voiced frustration over unemployment, inflation, rising cost of living, inadequate healthcare facilities, poor educational opportunities, recurring shortages of essential commodities, and concerns about the management of the region's mineral and hydropower resources.
The region has also witnessed a series of protests in recent years over wheat subsidies, taxation measures, land ownership disputes, and demands for constitutional rights. Many residents argue that despite repeated elections, fundamental governance challenges remain unresolved.
Political tensions accompanied the campaign, with major parties trading allegations of irregularities and unfair practices. PTI supporters complained that the party's candidates were forced to contest as independents, while PPP leaders raised concerns regarding delays in the compilation of election results. Election authorities denied allegations of bias and maintained that polling was conducted transparently and impartially.
Before the election, Gilgit-Baltistan's Supreme Appellate Court directed election officials to ensure free, fair, and transparent voting and provide a level playing field to all contestants.
Attention has now shifted to the formation of the next government and the race for the chief minister's office.
Chief Minister Candidate
Among PPP leaders, Advocate Amjad Hussain is widely viewed as the strongest contender. As president of the PPP's Gilgit-Baltistan chapter, he led the party's campaign and is credited with rebuilding its organisational network across the region. His electoral victory and senior standing within the party make him the leading candidate for the post.
Some political observers, however, believe the PPP could consider a consensus candidate from Baltistan in order to maintain a regional balance between Gilgit and Baltistan divisions, a factor that has often shaped political arrangements in the region.
PML-N is also expected to approach independent members in an effort to build an alternative coalition. However, the arithmetic currently favours the PPP, particularly if independent winners choose to align themselves with the largest party, as has frequently occurred in previous Gilgit-Baltistan elections.
The final composition of the government will become clearer after the formal notification of results and allocation of reserved seats. For now, the PPP appears best positioned to form the next government, with Amjad Hussain emerging as the early frontrunner for chief minister.
The election outcome is being closely monitored not only in Islamabad but also across the wider Kashmir region. Situated at the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia, and China, and serving as a key corridor for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Gilgit-Baltistan occupies a strategic position whose political developments carry significance well beyond its mountainous borders.
GILGIT-BALTISTAN ASSEMBLY ELECTION RESULTS
(24 General Seats)
Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) .......... 10
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) ... 6
Independent Candidates ................ 5
PTI-backed Independents ............... 2
Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM) ....... 1
TOTAL ................................. 24
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Assembly Strength ..................... 33
Reserved Seats for Women .............. 6
Reserved Technocrat Seats ............. 3
Majority Required ..................... 17
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