ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari stated that guarding “Form 45” during the upcoming elections is the responsibility of the public, asserting that “Form 47” will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
Emphasizing that the elections will be transparent, he urged citizens to remain vigilant in protecting their votes while addressing an election rally in Gulabpur, a tehsil of the Shigar district in Gilgit-Baltistan.
In his address, Bilawal praised Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for playing a crucial role in the Iran-US ceasefire and demonstrating outstanding performance.
Highlighting his party’s achievements, Bilawal noted that the Sindh government successfully completed a massive welfare project by constructing two million houses for the poor.
He further demanded that the people of Gilgit-Baltistan be granted full rights over the region’s minerals and natural resources, ensuring the local population benefits directly from them.
He added that the progress of Gilgit-Baltistan is deeply intertwined with the prosperity of the entire country, particularly Islamabad.
Bilawal also condemned the conflict between the United States and Iran, declaring peace in the region indispensable.
Furthermore, the PPP Chairman reiterated that granting Gilgit-Baltistan equal rights alongside other provinces under the 18th Constitutional Amendment remains a core part of the PPP manifesto.
He maintained that completing these constitutional reforms would finally resolve the long-standing issue of the region’s rights.
To improve political harmony and transparency, he stated that his party would make efforts to hold the Gilgit-Baltistan elections simultaneously with Pakistan’s general elections.
He argued that decision-making power should reside at the local level rather than in Islamabad so that public issues can be resolved locally.
Finally, Bilawal demanded the dissolution of the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs, advocating instead for full devolution of power to the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly.
Declaring Shigar a stronghold for the party, he expressed total confidence in a PPP victory in the upcoming elections for the constituency.
