SHIGAR (Dunya News) – Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that nine of his party’s seats were “stolen” in the previous election and expressed hope that no seat would be “taken away” this time.
Addressing a public rally in Shigar, he said the party continues to demand free and transparent elections in Gilgit-Baltistan. He urged supporters to verify results using Form 45, adding that the party would “manage Form 47 itself.”
Bilawal Bhutto said the PPP’s manifesto is focused on securing the rights of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan and ensuring them their right to governance. He added that true representation would only be guaranteed when elections in Gilgit-Baltistan and Pakistan are held simultaneously.
He further stated that elections in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir should be conducted at the same time as general elections in Pakistan. He noted that he had returned to Shigar to address the public and highlighted PPP’s long-standing support in the region over three generations.
The PPP chairman said that those who once sought to eliminate the party had failed due to the support of the people. He paid tribute to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, saying the party founder had struggled for public rights and introduced landmark reforms.
He added that Zulfikar Ali Bhutto provided Pakistan with its first unanimous constitution and laid the foundation for the country’s nuclear capability while standing with marginalized communities.
Bilawal Bhutto said the PPP has always represented underprivileged groups and made Pakistan stronger on the global stage as a nuclear power. He also referred to the party’s slogan of “roti, kapra aur makaan,” saying it was not only a slogan but also implemented in practice.
He said he had once again come to seek public support, noting that the people of Shigar had never disappointed the PPP and had always given the party a warm reception.
He further remarked that if the people of Shigar are given authority, the region would develop economically. He criticized the centralized mindset in Islamabad, saying decisions were often considered to be controlled from the federal capital.
He cited the Thar Coal project as an example where provincial authority had benefited local development and the wider country.