Nawaz Sharif returns to Gilgit after years, flags poor infrastructure

GILGIT: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday made a rare public appearance in Gilgit city, his first visit to the region since 2016, where he expressed concern over the state of road infrastructure and development in the region.

Addressing a public rally in Gilgit city ahead of the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly elections, he said he does not seek votes by criticising political opponents, but that his party campaigns on the basis of performance.

“The people of Gilgit-Baltistan are very close to my heart,” he said, adding that he had always prioritised the region in development planning during his tenure as prime minister.

Sharif said that during his tenure, major road projects, including the Gilgit-Skardu highway, were launched at a cost of around Rs50 billion, and questioned delays in completion of several development schemes, including hydropower projects in the region.

“Projects are started here but never completed,” he said, adding that hospitals, hydropower plants and other infrastructure initiatives were launched during his government.

He said he had never sought votes by criticising opponents, and that his party sought support on the basis of performance.

Sharif also said he had overseen development of a network of motorways across the country and the completion of the Lowari Tunnel, adding that he would visit Gilgit-Baltistan frequently if his party returned to power and personally monitor development projects.

The rally marked Sharif’s first visit to Gilgit-Baltistan since 2016.

Nawaz said he had been sent into exile multiple times and imprisoned, questioning the circumstances that led to his removal from power.

He said he should not be blamed alone, adding: “Do not hold grievances against me; you are also responsible for allowing someone like me to be sent into exile.”

He said he was forced to leave the country and was also jailed on multiple occasions.

Since returning to Pakistan in October 2023 after four years in self-exile, Nawaz Sharif has largely remained out of active politics, focusing mainly on internal party and organisational matters.

He stayed away from the 2024 general election campaign, a move widely seen as linked to his legal challenges and disqualification concerns. During that period, the PML-N’s campaign was largely led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who emerged as the party’s main public face due to stronger establishment ties and a clearer legal standing.

Ahead of the Gilgit-Baltistan polls, however, Sharif is expected to take part in campaign activities, including rallies and public engagements, prompting renewed debate over whether he is re-entering electoral politics or retaining a limited advisory role.

Elections for the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly are scheduled for June 7. Leaders of major political parties, including Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Barrister Gohar, are currently in the region, seeking public support for their respective candidates.