BREAKING NEWS
Indian actor Pradeep Rawat dies at 74 after cancer battle • Mrunal Thakur warns of legal action over AI-generated deepfake content • Fazlur Rehman warns against politicizing debate over new provinces • Pakistan posts 387, secures first-innings lead over West Indies • Pakistan exempt from new US visa bond program • Trump voices concern over oil company profits amid Iran conflict • West Indies all out for 344 against Pakistan in first innings • Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly set to marry Georgina Rodriguez on Aug 8 • Trump says Gulf States backed diplomatic path with Iran • Fuel theft surges across UK as rising prices drive daily losses • Why ‘Inception’ remains one of Hollywood’s most rewatchable films • ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ opens with $355m worldwide • Secret wedding allegation involving Varma and Urmila resurfaces • Bilawal Bhutto alleges rigging in AJK elections • PM orders comprehensive performance review of federal ministries
Advertise with us >

Gilgit-Baltistan

Gilgit-Baltistan assembly passes resolution seeking interim provincial status

by
Gilgit-Baltistan

SKARDU: The Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly passed a resolution calling on the federal government to grant the region interim provincial status while maintaining Pakistan’s longstanding position on the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

The resolution states that granting Gilgit-Baltistan interim provincial status should not alter Pakistan’s official stance on the Kashmir dispute or affect any future United Nations-backed plebiscite on the region.

Lawmakers also called for Gilgit-Baltistan to be granted representation in Pakistan’s National Assembly and Senate, as well as in all constitutional institutions, placing the region on par with the country’s existing provinces.

The assembly urged the federal government to take all necessary constitutional, legal and administrative measures to implement the resolution and extend full constitutional and democratic rights to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.

The resolution further said that any interim provincial arrangement should remain consistent with Pakistan’s international obligations while safeguarding its position on the Kashmir issue.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari vows to defend Indus waters

by
Bilawal Bhutto

GILGIT: Chairman Pakistan People’s Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Monday said Pakistan would defend the Indus River and would not compromise on its water rights under the Indus Waters Treaty.

Addressing the swearing-in ceremony of Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Amjad Hussain Advocate, Bilawal said he was grateful to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for recognizing the Pakistan Peoples Party’s electoral mandate in Gilgit-Baltistan. He added that the PPP would work with all political parties and ensure opposition members were included in governance.

Bilawal reiterated the party’s commitment to securing constitutional rights for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan and said the federal government should ensure the region has representation at the national level.

He also pledged to create an economic environment that generates employment opportunities, promote public-private partnerships in agriculture, and fulfill the PPP’s commitment on land ownership rights.

Commenting on regional security, Bilawal accused Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi of adopting what he described as an “Israel model” after India’s military conflict with Pakistan.

He further alleged that India was attempting to create instability in Pakistan through Afghanistan as well as in Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. He did not provide evidence to support the claims.

Bilawal also referred to the recent conflict between Israel and Iran, claiming Israel had unsuccessfully sought to foment internal unrest in Iran after the fighting.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s position on water security, Bilawal said the country would defend the Indus River and would not compromise on the Indus Waters Treaty, adding that Pakistan would protect its water rights under all circumstances.

PPP leads GB assembly polls as unofficial results continue to roll in

by
PPP leads GB

GILGIT: Unofficial and preliminary results from the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly elections continued to pour in on Monday, with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) emerging as the leading political force, securing the highest number of seats so far.

Voter turnout remained strong on election day, with long queues reported outside polling stations across the region. Polling began in the morning and continued uninterrupted until 5 p.m.

According to partial results from 19 of 24 constituencies, the PPP has won nine seats, independent candidates six, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) three, and the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) one.

The PPP secured victories in constituencies GBA-1, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 19. The PML-N won seats in GBA-18, 20 and 22, while MWM claimed GBA-8. Independent candidates were successful in GBA-3, 6, 16, 21, 23 and 24.

In detailed constituency-wise results, PPP’s Amjad Hussain won GBA-1 Gilgit-I with 10,594 votes, defeating PML-N’s Muhammad Shafiq-ud-Din, who secured 6,312 votes.

In GBA-2 Gilgit-II, PML-N’s Hafiz-ur-Rehman led with 4,129 votes from partial results, while PPP’s Jameel Ahmad followed with 2,695 votes.

Independent candidate Syed Sohail Abbas won GBA-3 Gilgit-III with 7,877 votes, ahead of PPP’s Aftab Haider Advocate.

PPP’s Muhammad Ali Akhtar won GBA-4 Nagar-I, while in GBA-5 Nagar-II, PPP’s Zulfiqar Ali Murad secured victory.

In GBA-6 Hunza, independent candidate Nek Nam Karim emerged victorious, while PPP’s Imtiaz-ul-Haq stood second.

PPP also won in GBA-7 Skardu-I, GBA-9 Skardu-III, GBA-10 Skardu-IV, GBA-11 Kharmang, GBA-12 Shigar and GBA-19 Ghizer-I, according to the unofficial results.

MWM’s Muhammad Kazim won GBA-8 Skardu-II, while PML-N secured wins in GBA-18 Diamer-IV, GBA-20 Ghizer-II and GBA-22 Ghanche-I.

Counting remained underway in several constituencies, with final official results yet to be announced.

Bilawal Bhutto vows electoral safeguards, constitutional rights for GB

by
Bilawal Bhutto

GILGIT: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said the party will ensure protection of votes and push for constitutional and political rights for Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), speaking at an election rally in the region.

Addressing supporters as part of the party’s election campaign, Bilawal Bhutto expressed gratitude to GB voters for supporting the PPP in the previous elections, saying he had personally visited all areas of the region and presented the party’s manifesto.

He alleged that results from the last election were manipulated and claimed that seats were “taken away” despite what he said were favorable Form 45 results. He urged supporters to safeguard ballots in the upcoming polls.

The PPP chairman said the region has been facing political injustice and vowed that such situations would not be allowed again.

Referring to regional and global developments, he mentioned ongoing conflicts in Palestine, Lebanon and Iran, saying the Muslim world is facing serious challenges and GB voters must decide their future leadership carefully.

Bilawal Bhutto said the PPP has a long-standing relationship with the people of Gilgit-Baltistan spanning three generations and reiterated that the party aims to strengthen the region’s representation at national and international levels.

He also praised former president Asif Ali Zardari’s role in granting administrative recognition to GB and said the party seeks to further expand constitutional rights and self-governance for the region.

Highlighting economic and development plans, he said the PPP believes in inclusive growth focused on farmers, labourers and youth, adding that development is only meaningful when benefits reach lower-income groups.

He announced plans for job creation through merit-based recruitment, public-private partnerships, improved healthcare systems and digital connectivity across all districts of GB.

Bilawal Bhutto urged voters to give the PPP a strong mandate in the upcoming elections, saying it would help ensure governance reforms, economic development and protection of rights in the region.

Ex-PM Nawaz Sharif criticises development delays in Gilgit-Baltistan

by
Ex-PM Nawaz

GILGIT:  Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo and former prime minister  Nawaz Sharif has criticised the pace of development in Gilgit-Baltistan, saying many projects remain incomplete and road conditions in the region are a source of concern.

Addressing an election rally in Gilgit, he said he had visited Skardu and Gilgit several times during his tenure as prime minister and expressed disappointment over the current state of infrastructure.

“The roads are in poor condition, full of potholes. I feel pain seeing this,” he said, questioning why key projects such as the Mansehra-Gilgit road had not been completed.

Nawaz Sharif said he did not want to criticise any political party but questioned why development initiatives were neglected despite repeated announcements. He added that his party has always sought votes based on performance rather than criticism of opponents.

He claimed that hospitals, hydroelectric projects, and the Nagar development project were initiated by his government, and asked which other party had delivered similar work in the region.

The PML-N leader also pointed to the limited flight operations at Gilgit Airport, saying it should be expanded and could handle significantly more traffic than the current three weekly flights.

He said future plans include expanding healthcare facilities so residents do not need to travel to Islamabad for treatment, improving tourism for job creation, and providing interest-free loans, scholarships, laptops, and a women’s university for local students.

Nawaz Sharif also referred to the Diamer-Bhasha Dam project, saying land acquisition funds were allocated during his tenure but the project remains incomplete, adding that timely completion would have benefited both Gilgit-Baltistan and the wider country.