ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians (PPP) is sending a delegation of central leaders of the party to Gilgit-Baltistan tomorrow (Tuesday) in connection with the upcoming elections.

The delegation includes Nayyer Hussain Bukhari, Humayun Khan, Nadeem Afzal Chan, and Qamar Zaman Kaira. Members of the PPP Election Board will conduct interviews of the party’s ‘arrow-bearer’ candidates from Gilgit-Baltistan during the visit.

Two meetings of the Election Board for Gilgit-Baltistan have already been held in Islamabad under the chairmanship of Board In-Charge Faryal Talpur, Secretary General and senior leader Senator Nayyer Hussain Bukhari said. “Pakistan Peoples Party did not make promises in Gilgit-Baltistan — it took practical steps,” he said.

He recalled that Quaid-i-Awam Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto gave the people of Gilgit-Baltistan the right to vote and the right to public representation.

“It is an honour for the Pakistan People’s Party that Gilgit-Baltistan was granted administrative status,” Bukhari stated, adding that the PPP launched major public welfare and development projects in the region.

Bukhari highlighted the role of PPP workers from Gilgit-Baltistan during the Movement for Restoration of Democracy (MRD) against dictatorship, calling their struggle “historic.”

He also noted that the citizens of Gilgit-Baltistan gave an “unparalleled welcome” to Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto during her visits to the region.

“Because of the PPP’s historic steps, people hold deep affection for President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari,” he added.

Expressing confidence ahead of the polls, Bukhari said, “In the upcoming elections, PPP candidates will succeed with a heavy majority. The next Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan will be a jiyala.”

He further stated that party office-bearers and workers are campaigning across Gilgit-Baltistan on the democratic and public-service narrative of ‘Hope of Pakistan’ Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

Published in Dawn, April 21st, 2026