By: Wali ur Rehman Hami, Gilgit Bureau Chief
GILGIT: Elections in Gilgit-Baltistan will be held on 7 June. Federal ministers along with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari have arrived in Gilgit. PML-N supremo Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif is expected to reach Gilgit on 4 June.
PML-N appears to have an edge in forming the next government in Gilgit-Baltistan, but PPP continues its campaign efforts.
In a major development, Election Commissioner Raja Shehbaz expelled PTI’s central leaders, including Junaid Akbar, from the province for violating the Election Commission’s code of conduct. The move has increased difficulties for PTI in the polls.
A tight contest is underway between PPP and PML-N. PPP has fielded Qamar Zaman Kaira, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and other central leaders in Gilgit-Baltistan. PML-N has deployed Saad Rafique, Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs & Gilgit-Baltistan Amir Muqam, and other senior leaders from the center.
JUI-F, Islami Tehreek, Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen, and Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party have also fielded candidates.
Pre-poll alliances have reshaped the race: IPP and Islami Tehreek have allied in some constituencies, Jamaat-e-Islami has joined hands with PML-N, while Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen has allied with PTI.
Currently, the main contest is three-way between PPP, PML-N, and Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party. However, PTI faces the most challenges following the expulsion of its leadership.
