Gilgit-Baltistan Election Commission Announces By‑Election for Skardu Constituency

The Gilgit-Baltistan Election Commission announced that a by‑election will be held for constituency GBA‑09, Skardu‑III, and that a schedule will be released on Monday.

The commission made the announcement on Friday following the GB Supreme Appellate Court’s disqualification of PPP candidate Fida Muhammad Nashad for failing to disclose assets in his nomination papers.

Chief Election Commissioner Raja Shehbaz Khan issued a notification appointing officials to conduct the by‑election.

According to the notification, Skardu Deputy Commissioner Hamza Murad has been appointed District Returning Officer, Shigar Assistant Commissioner Faisal Hayat as Returning Officer, and Tusar Tehsildar Qazi Mumtaz as Assistant Returning Officer.

Gilgit-Baltistan’s development among top priorities of federal govt, PM assures lawmakers

The commission stated that all arrangements for the by‑election will be carried out with complete transparency, impartiality and merit, in accordance with the law and code of conduct, to ensure a free, fair, and credible electoral process.

The Gilgit-Baltistan Supreme Appellate Court had disqualified PPP candidate Fida Muhammad Nashad on Thursday for concealing assets in his nomination papers, overturning the GB Chief Court’s decision that had permitted his candidacy.

GB legislators meet Shehbaz

The prime minister assured PML‑N lawmakers from the GB Assembly that the development of Gilgit‑Baluchistan is a top priority of the federal government.

The prime minister made this assurance during a meeting with PML‑N lawmakers from the GB Assembly in Islamabad on Friday.

The prime minister established a committee, headed by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, to review proposals submitted by GB Assembly members concerning regional matters and to report back to him.

GB Assembly members of the PML‑N urged the prime minister to implement the recommendations of the Sartaj Aziz Committee on the constitutional status of GB, its National Finance Award allocation, and other regional issues.

The newly elected members of the GB Assembly who met the prime minister were Malik Kifayatur Rehman, Hafeezur Rehman, Rana Farman Ali, Sahab Khan, Abdul Jahan, Rana Farooq, Ibrahim Sanai, and Janifar Bahadur.

PML‑N leaders Dr. Mohammad Iqbal, Sultan Ali Khan, and Shafiquddin were also part of the GB lawmakers’ delegation that met the prime minister.

According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, PM Shehbaz said that special focus is being placed on improving infrastructure, communications, energy, education, healthcare, and tourism facilities in GB.

He said that the region’s natural resources, tourist attractions, and mineral reserves will be leveraged to strengthen the local economy.

He said that providing top‑quality education, modern technical training, and dignified employment opportunities for the youth is a key government priority, enabling them to contribute meaningfully to national development.

“Four Daanish Schools in Gilgit‑Baluchistan are nearing completion, with classes scheduled to begin next year,” the prime minister said.

Climate change

Discussing the increasing impact of climate change in GB, the prime minister noted that an early‑warning system has been installed to monitor glaciers and extreme weather events, enabling officials to alert communities before disasters occur.

PM Shehbaz also established a committee chaired by Mr Dar, including Federal Minister for Kashmir and GB Affairs Amir Muqam and PM Advisor Rana Sanaullah, to review proposals from GB Assembly lawmakers on regional issues.

According to a press release from the PML‑N’s GB chapter, its parliamentary party, led by President and opposition leader Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman, met with PM Shehbaz in Islamabad on Friday.

Beyond the points in the PM’s Office statement, PML‑N leaders from GB called for the swift completion of a 100 MW solar power project, the addition of two daily PIA flights between Islamabad and Gilgit, construction of the Astore Road, an increase in judges of the GB Supreme Appellate Court, improved internet facilities, and expansion of Shaheed Saifur Rehman Hospital.

Published in Dawn, July 11th, 2026

Source link