ISLAMABAD, Thursday, June 4, 2026 (WNP): Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leaders on Thursday alleged that political opponents had become alarmed by the overwhelming public support being received by the party in Gilgit-Baltistan and accused federal and provincial authorities of attempting to influence the electoral process through development announcements and the use of state machinery.
Addressing a press conference at the PPP Secretariat in Islamabad, Senator Palwasha Khan, Senator Shahadat Awan and Member of the National Assembly Sehar Kamran said no one could manipulate every election and expressed confidence that the PPP would emerge victorious in the upcoming Gilgit-Baltistan elections.
Senator Palwasha Khan said important elections were approaching in Gilgit-Baltistan and leaders of various political parties were visiting the region. She maintained that it was the PPP that had provided political identity and rights to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.
She said the public was increasingly turning to solar energy due to high electricity costs, while the government continued to impose additional economic burdens on citizens.
Palwasha alleged that announcements of billions of rupees in development funds and projects ahead of the elections amounted to pre-poll rigging.
She called on the Election Commission to take immediate notice of development fund announcements, alleged changes in electoral rolls, transfers of officials and the use of government resources during the election period.
She stressed that attempts were being made to influence voters and urged the Election Commission to ensure strict implementation of the election code of conduct.
Senator Shahadat Awan said parties that had previously been in power should explain what development work they had undertaken in Gilgit-Baltistan. He expressed confidence that the PPP would form the next government in the region.
He said President Asif Ali Zardari had played a key role in granting political recognition to Gilgit-Baltistan, while PPP founder and former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had abolished the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) system in the area.
Awan highlighted the party’s contributions to women’s rights, youth representation and the establishment of democratic institutions. He said constitutional amendments could not be introduced through ordinances and should instead be adopted through national consensus.
Referring to the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, he said all stakeholders should be taken into confidence. He also appealed to the public not to pay attention to rumours and demanded that government employees’ salaries be increased in line with inflation.
MNA Sehar Kamran said the PPP had completed numerous development projects in Gilgit-Baltistan and taken practical steps to address public issues.
She said First Lady Asifa Bhutto Zardari was receiving an extraordinary public response in Gilgit-Baltistan, which had unsettled political opponents.
Questioning the absence of local government elections in Punjab, she noted that local government polls had been held in Karachi during the PPP’s tenure. She said the PPP was providing housing to flood-affected families and remained committed to its longstanding slogan of “Roti, Kapra aur Makaan” (Bread, Clothing and Shelter).
“The PPP believes in building homes for the people, not demolishing them,” she said.
Sehar Kamran further stated that the foundations of major projects, including dams in Gilgit-Baltistan, had been laid by the PPP. She questioned the presence of Punjab Police personnel in Gilgit-Baltistan and asked how many federal and provincial ministers were participating in the election campaign.
She urged the Gilgit-Baltistan Election Commission to ensure full implementation of the code of conduct and maintain a level playing field for all political parties.
The PPP leaders expressed confidence that the people of Gilgit-Baltistan would support democratic forces and that the party would secure a decisive victory in the forthcoming elections.
