PPP supporters block Karakoram Highway in Chilas, allege ‘illegal’ GBA-16 election result

GILGIT: PPP supporters blocked the Karakoram Highway (KKH) in Diamer in protest after the Election Commission notified independent candidate Imam Malik on Friday night, allegedly without preparing Form 49 or counting postal votes in the constituency.

Supporters of PPP candidate Attaullah Khan, who contested the GBA-16 Diamer-II election, blocked the KKH at multiple locations in Chilas. The blockade began around 10am on Saturday and remained ongoing as of Saturday evening.

PPP Secretary General Nayyar Bukhari claimed that the party had a clear majority of 17–19 seats, including reserved and technocratic seats.

“An attempt is being made to block the path of the PPP,” Bukhari alleged, adding that the GB electoral process is not being carried out in accordance with the Constitution and law.

Due to the road blockade, traffic between Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and other parts of Pakistan was disrupted, stranding thousands of passengers. Long queues of vehicles were seen on both sides of the highway.

The protesters alleged that the GB chief election commissioner (CEC) declared Imam Malik the returned candidate for the constituency without completing the legal process.

On Saturday morning, the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) announced that Malik has joined the party.

Attaullah claimed that the process was “illegal” and an “injustice”.

The PPP candidate previously petitioned the Election Commission to issue consolidated results and suspend the CEC’s order for re-polling at three stations.

On Wednesday, the CEC issued directions to begin preparing the consolidated result after counting of postal ballots, while also suspending his earlier order to conduct re-polling.

Attaullah’s supporters have been protesting outside the district returning officer’s (DRO) office in Chilas, demanding implementation of the GB CEC’s orders.

“According to the election laws, the official gazette must be issued within 14 days of polling, which has not been done yet,” he said, adding that the GB CEC had made a “premature decision” by accepting Malik as a member of the IPP.

Bukhari said that the IPP leadership had met the PPP and demanded government positions in exchange for support in government formation.

The PPP leadership would decide how to form the government and who to include in the alliance, according to Bukhari.