No woman in race as 666 file papers for GB polls

GILGIT: Over 650 candidates have filed their nomination papers for the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly elections scheduled for June 7 in 24 constituencies.

A total of 666 candidates have submitted their nomination papers; however, no woman candidate has filed nomination papers for the assembly elections.

According to a press release issued by the GB Election Commission Secretariat, polling for the general election will be held on June 7, while the election process is underway in all 24 constituencies.

The secretariat has convened a multi-party conference on Thursday (tomorrow) at the Election Commission Secretariat in Gilgit. The aim of the conference is to consult political parties to advance the election process in a fair, transparent and coordinated manner.

Nawaz says if elected, PML-N will focus on region’s development

The conference will discuss in detail the election process, code of conduct, mutual consultation, coordination in election matters and other related issues so that the conduct of elections can be made more effective and transparent in light of the opinions and suggestions of all political parties.

The GB Election Commission has requested all political parties to ensure their participation in the conference and provide their valuable opinions, suggestions and guidance regarding the conduct of the elections.

The commission has reiterated its commitment that all necessary measures will be taken to make the elections free, fair and transparent.

Nawaz vows GB development

Meanwhile, PML-N President Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday vowed that, if elected, the party would focus on development in Gilgit-Baltistan.

He made the comments in a televised address to the PML-N’s parliamentary board for GB, where he highlighted past projects launched by the party in the region.

He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, his younger brother, had the “same passion” for developing GB as he had, noting that the region had massive potential.

The former premier highlighted road projects “worth $60-$65 billion”, adding that “24-hour journeys were reduced to 10 hours”. He recalled facing criticism for having a tunnel constructed in Chitral as it was sparsely populated.

Referring to the initiatives undertaken by PM Shehbaz during his time as the Punjab chief minister, and now by his daughter Maryam, Nawaz Sharif told the party members: “You should copy it, and all these things should be launched in GB as well.”

The PML-N supremo said: “He [Shehbaz] launched numerous projects during his time. Look at him, find out about them. […] And now Maryam has taken the responsibility to take his work forward, so see what is happening there. You should copy it.”

In a message to all the PML-N candidates, Nawaz Sharif said: “When your candidates are elected, God-willing, they must have this in mind that they have been elected for service, not for fun.”

He said that if the party formed a government in GB, he would invite the regional leadership. He asserted that GB “is as dear to me as the rest of Pakistan is, and as Azad Kashmir, Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and KP are”. Noting that both the Centre and Punjab were active in development, he called on the rest of the provinces to do the same.

Published in Dawn, April 22nd, 2026