Bilawal says G-B local bodies elections to be held before winter

GILGIT: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said on Monday that local government elections in Gilgit-Baltistan would be held before the onset of winter, while reiterating his party’s commitment to securing constitutional rights for the region.

Speaking after the swearing-in ceremony of newly elected Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Amjad Hussain, Bilawal said  that the regional government would prioritise merit and continue efforts to secure constitutional guarantees for the people of G-B.

He congratulated Amjad Hussain on assuming office and said the PPP-led government would work with all political parties, including the opposition, to address public issues through consensus.

Bilawal thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for recognising the PPP’s electoral mandate in Gilgit-Baltistan and also acknowledged the support of the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) in the formation of the coalition government.

He said that it was unfortunate that some political parties had stayed away from the elections but pledged that the government would protect the public mandate and would not allow anyone to undermine it.

Bilawal said that Pakistani politics had increasingly become associated with confrontation and hostility, adding that the PPP wanted to promote reconciliation and democratic traditions by fostering cooperation between the government and the opposition.

He also reaffirmed the PPP’s longstanding position on granting constitutional rights to Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, saying he hoped to see elected representatives from Gilgit-Baltistan one day sit in Pakistan’s National Assembly.

Turning to India, Bilawal accused New Delhi of attempting to use water as a political weapon and said Pakistan would defend its national interests at all costs.

“There will be no compromise on the Indus Waters Treaty or the waters of the Indus River,” he said, adding that if Pakistan had to “struggle or even fight a war” to protect its water rights, the PPP would stand by the country’s position.

Bilawal also accused India of adopting what he described as an “Israeli model” by pursuing proxy warfare after its defeat, alleging that New Delhi was attempting to destabilise Pakistan through Afghanistan. He did not provide evidence to support the claim.

India has repeatedly rejected Pakistani allegations that it supports militancy inside Pakistan.