GILGIT: Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Friday pledged to restore and implement ownership rights in Gilgit-Baltistan if his party forms the regional government following the elections.
Addressing a public gathering, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said he had spent a full month in Gilgit-Baltistan during the previous election campaign and visited every tehsil and division of the region. According to him, the people of Gilgit-Baltistan had given the PPP the highest number of seats based on Form 45 results.
He alleged, however, that the public mandate was later undermined and those seats were taken away.
Bilawal called on voters to safeguard their ballots in the upcoming election. He said the PPP would stand alongside the people to protect the democratic process and would not allow injustice against either the region or the party.
Referring to regional and global developments, the former foreign minister said the Muslim world was going through a difficult phase. He cited the situations in Palestine, Gaza, Lebanon and Iran, adding that Pakistan must raise its voice for oppressed communities at international forums.
Bilawal said the PPP shared a three-generation relationship with the people of Gilgit-Baltistan. He added that the party would continue to highlight the region’s issues at both national and international levels.
لائیو: پاکستان پیپلزپارٹی کا گلگت بلتستان کے ضلع گلگت میں انتخابی جلسہ عام #GBMainTeerChaleyGa https://t.co/ubLPWKsdfx
— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) June 5, 2026
He credited Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Benazir Bhutto and President Asif Ali Zardari with strengthening Pakistan’s political, economic and strategic foundations. According to Bilawal, the PPP had consistently struggled for the political, constitutional and governance rights of Gilgit-Baltistan.
The PPP chairman said the party wanted to ensure self-governance for the people of the region. He added that the PPP would continue efforts to bring Gilgit-Baltistan under full constitutional protection, including access to the benefits associated with the 18th Amendment.
Highlighting development potential, Bilawal said Gilgit-Baltistan could emerge as a major contributor to Pakistan’s economy. He referred to studies suggesting the region had the capacity to generate up to 50,000 megawatts of electricity.
He said the PPP aimed to unlock this economic and energy potential through investment and policy support.
Bilawal also stressed the importance of economic cooperation with China. He said the PPP would work to create new opportunities for Gilgit-Baltistan through trade, investment and digital infrastructure, adding that modern development depended on digital connectivity alongside roads and energy projects.
Referring to Sindh, he said the PPP had launched housing and healthcare initiatives there and wished to introduce similar projects in Gilgit-Baltistan. These would include hospitals and programmes linked to land and ownership rights.
Speaking about the ownership rights legislation, Bilawal said the law had already been approved but now required proper implementation. He warned that if the PPP did not form the government, future administrations could attempt to reverse the legislation.
He said the ownership rights law would initially benefit districts such as Shigar and Skardu before extending to Ghanche and Kharmang. Bilawal pledged to ensure land ownership rights for residents across the entire region.
Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said the PPP was contesting the elections to secure the rights of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, not for personal or political gain. He expressed confidence in a strong electoral performance and urged voters to grant the party a historic mandate.
He reaffirmed that the PPP remained committed to securing governance rights, economic opportunities and ownership rights for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, and would continue its long-standing struggle for the region’s development and prosperity.
