Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday extended congratulations to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan on the successful, transparent, peaceful, and politically vibrant conduct of the general elections and felicitated the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) for emerging as the largest political party in the region.
"PPP deserved congratulations for securing the highest number of seats in the elections," the premier said in a statement, extending felicitations to President Asif Ali Zardari and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on the party’s performance.
His remarks came as the Bilawal Bhutto-led party emerged as the leading political party in the Gilgit-Baltistan general elections, securing the highest number of seats as unofficial and unconfirmed results continued to come in from across the region.
According to unofficial and unconfirmed results from 19 of the 24 constituencies, PPP won nine seats, placing it ahead of all other parties in the electoral contest.
Meanwhile, the premier also congratulated the successful candidates of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) who put up strong competition, besides praising the party’s team for their hard work and dedication. He said the party’s team had worked hard during the campaign and deserved recognition for its efforts.
Highlighting the significance of the electoral exercise, the premier said peaceful, transparent elections and active political participation reflected the strength and beauty of democracy.
He also lauded the Election Commission for ensuring a transparent and impartial electoral process, describing its role as commendable.
The prime minister further praised the police and other law enforcement agencies for their contribution to maintaining peace and security during the elections, saying their efforts played a key role in the successful conduct of the polls.
Besides PPP, the PML-N secured three seats, while the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) won one seat. Independent candidates also performed strongly, clinching six seats according to the results received so far.
According to the results received so far, PPP won constituencies GBA-1, GBA-4, GBA-5, GBA-7, GBA-9, GBA-10, GBA-11, GBA-12 and GBA-19.
The PML-N secured three seats, winning constituencies GBA-18, GBA-20 and GBA-22. MWM won one seat in constituency GBA-8.
Independent candidates won in constituencies GBA-3, GBA-6, GBA-16, GBA-21, GBA-23 and GBA-24.
The remaining constituencies are yet to report final unofficial results, while the overall electoral picture indicates PPP has emerged as the largest political force in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Earlier, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the PPP and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) raised concerns over the transparency of the Gilgit-Baltistan elections, alleging delays in the announcement of results, irregularities in the issuance of Form-45s and attempts to alter electoral outcomes, as unofficial results started pouring in.
In a statement, PPP Central Secretary General Nayar Bukhari alleged that a "systematic conspiracy" was underway to steal the public mandate in GB. He claimed efforts were being made to alter results to make the party's lead controversial.
Bukhari said results had been withheld in several constituencies, including GBA-16 and GBA-17, despite PPP's claimed victories.
He warned that the party would launch protests if attempts to "steal the public mandate" continued and demanded the Election Commission immediately announce all pending results.
Separately, PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira said that he had spoken to the election commissioner regarding the issuance of Form-45. He stated that the results given by the public should be reflected accurately, urging party workers to remain peaceful at polling stations.
Kaira further said the elections should not be made controversial and instructed workers not to leave polling stations without receiving Form-45.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan also questioned the conduct of the polls, saying his party had not been allowed to hold election rallies and that senior leaders, including Asad Qaiser, Salman Akram Raja and others, were prevented from participating in the campaign.
Speaking on Geo News programme 'Naya Pakistan', Gohar said the Constitution allowed political parties to campaign freely during elections. He noted that even PPP leaders were complaining that the elections were not being conducted in a free and fair manner and that candidates were not receiving Form-45s.
"We are political people and want citizens to get their rights and democracy to be strengthened," he said, adding that despite not receiving relief, PTI continued to pursue legal remedies through the courts. He maintained that whichever party receives the public's vote should have the right to govern.
Gohar also stressed that political rights should be respected and electoral processes conducted transparently.
Separately, JUI-F leader Abdul Ghafoor Haideri expressed reservations over the election results, saying delays in their announcement had cast doubt on the credibility of the electoral process.
He said concerns regarding Form-45 had raised serious questions about election transparency and warned that any attempt to alter the public mandate would be unacceptable. Haideri alleged that efforts had been made to turn a victory by a JUI-F candidate in Darel into a defeat.
He added that public confidence could not be restored without transparent elections.
Meanwhile, unofficial results showed PPP's Amjad Hussain winning GBA-1, while independent candidate Syed Sohail Abbas secured victory in GBA-3 Gilgit.
The Election Commission had established 1,391 polling stations across all districts of Gilgit-Baltistan. Of these, 488 were classified as normal, 349 as sensitive and 551 as highly sensitive.
The PPP had fielded the highest number of candidates, with 23 contesting the elections, followed by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) with 22 and 19 independents backed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
The Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) fielded 15 candidates, the Pakistan Nazriyati Party (PNP) 11, while Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and Islami Tehreek Pakistan (ITP) have fielded nine candidates each.
The Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) nominated seven candidates, while Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) have fielded six candidates each. The Awami Workers Party (AWP) fielded four candidates.
Authorities said foolproof security arrangements were put in place for the elections. Personnel from the local police, Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts, and contingents from Punjab and Sindh police were deployed to perform security duties at polling stations and other key locations.
Additional security personnel were deployed at vulnerable locations, while law enforcement agencies and the district administration are on high alert throughout the election process.
Speaking to journalists, GB Inspector General of Police Nasir Akbar Khan said that more than 17,500 personnel were deployed for security during the electoral process.
Police, Rangers, and other law enforcement agencies are on alert, he said, adding that additional force was deployed at sensitive polling stations.
