PPP chairman says holding elections together would strengthen democratic representation and public sovereignty across all regions.
Bilawal Advocates Unified Electoral Timeline
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has called for elections in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) to be held simultaneously with Pakistan’s general elections, arguing that such a move would enhance public sovereignty and democratic representation.
Addressing an election rally in Shigar’s GBA-12 constituency ahead of the June 7 Gilgit-Baltistan elections, Bilawal said that true public empowerment would only be achieved when voters in GB participate in the electoral process at the same time as citizens across the rest of the country.
He maintained that synchronising elections would help strengthen democratic institutions and ensure greater political inclusion for residents of both regions.
Commitment to Gilgit-Baltistan’s Rights
The PPP chairman reiterated his party’s commitment to securing the rights of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan and ensuring that elections in the region are conducted in a transparent and fair manner.
He urged voters to protect their mandate and expressed hope that the upcoming polls would accurately reflect the will of the people.
Bilawal also stressed the importance of electoral transparency, stating that public confidence in democratic institutions depends on free and credible elections.
Criticism of Centralised Governance
During his address, Bilawal criticised what he described as an Islamabad-centric model of governance. According to him, some political parties seek to administer regions such as Gilgit-Baltistan, Gwadar, and Karachi from the federal capital rather than empowering local communities.
He argued that decisions affecting the people of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir should be made by elected representatives and residents of those regions rather than by bureaucrats in Islamabad.
Bilawal said that granting greater authority to local populations would encourage economic growth and improve governance by allowing communities to address their own priorities and challenges.
Remarks on Federal Institutions
The PPP leader also commented on the federal government’s financial challenges, suggesting that if fiscal constraints persist, authorities should review the necessity of ministries dedicated to Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
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His remarks reflected the party’s broader emphasis on decentralisation and local decision-making as a means of improving governance and public service delivery.
Defence of the Benazir Income Support Programme
A significant portion of Bilawal’s speech focused on the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), one of Pakistan’s largest social protection initiatives.
He claimed that the PPP remains the strongest defender of the programme and alleged that some political parties intend to weaken or eventually dismantle it.
Bilawal criticised proposals to transfer the programme’s administration to provincial governments, arguing that welfare schemes of this nature are typically managed at the federal level in many countries.
According to him, devolving BISP to the provinces would undermine its effectiveness and potentially threaten its future.
BISP as an International Welfare Model
The PPP chairman also highlighted the programme’s international recognition, stating that during his tenure as foreign minister he frequently cited BISP as a successful model of social welfare.
He noted that the programme has often been presented as an example of how governments can support vulnerable populations through targeted financial assistance and poverty alleviation measures.
Since its launch in 2008, BISP has become one of Pakistan’s most prominent social safety-net initiatives, providing financial support to millions of low-income households across the country.
Call for Transparent Elections
Concluding his address, Bilawal once again called for free, fair, and transparent elections in Gilgit-Baltistan. He urged voters to actively safeguard their mandate and participate fully in the democratic process.
As political campaigning intensifies ahead of the June 7 elections, issues such as electoral transparency, regional autonomy, and social welfare are expected to remain central themes in the political debate.
The upcoming vote will determine the composition of Gilgit-Baltistan’s Legislative Assembly and is being closely watched by major political parties seeking to strengthen their presence in the strategically important region.
