Bilawal says PPP would launch ‘G-B Housing Initiative’ if voted to power

GHIZER: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that his party would introduce a comprehensive housing initiative for Gilgit-Baltistan if given a mandate in the region.

Addressing a public gathering in Ghizer during the election campaign, he said a PPP government would ensure “full rights” for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan and continue to support the principles of the 18th Constitutional Amendment, which he said have strengthened provincial autonomy in Pakistan.

Bilawal added that his party would extend similar autonomy arrangements to Gilgit-Baltistan, arguing that the region should be granted governance rights comparable to those of the provinces.

He further said that Gilgit-Baltistan would be treated as a top priority for provincial status if any other region in the country also seeks such constitutional changes.

On housing, he announced that a “Gilgit-Baltistan Housing Initiative” would be launched under a PPP government, similar to housing programmes implemented in Sindh. He said the initiative would aim to address ownership issues and improve access to land and housing in the region.

Referring to land ownership, he said large areas of state-owned land in Gilgit-Baltistan, both agricultural and non-agricultural, would be considered for transfer to local residents to ensure ownership rights for the people of the region, if his party comes to power.