Bilawal vows land rights, jobs, and digital future for Gilgit-Baltistan

Bilawal argued that communication and digital infrastructure should be prioritized over traditional road projects.

On the final day of campaigning for the June 7 Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) elections, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari renewed his pledge to secure land ownership rights (Haq-i-Milkiyat) and employment opportunities (Haq-i-Rozgar) for the people of the region. He also placed strong emphasis on expanding digital connectivity, arguing that modern internet infrastructure was more vital than roads for unlocking G-B’s economic potential.

Protecting the mandate

Speaking at a rally in Gilgit, Bilawal urged PPP workers to safeguard Form-45s, warning against attempts to manipulate the election outcome. “We will not allow anyone to rob the Pakistan Peoples Party of its right,” he told supporters.

Jobs and governance

Bilawal criticized successive governments in G-B for failing to address unemployment, noting that no recruitments had been made since the PPP’s tenure. He promised to reopen the recruitment process and fill vacant positions on merit if the PPP wins. “If we truly unlock the potential of this region, we will not only provide jobs to the youth here but also create opportunities for economic growth across Pakistan,” he said, describing G-B as the potential “Koh-i-Noor” of Pakistan’s economy.

He reiterated the PPP’s commitment to securing self-governance for G-B, calling it a struggle that has spanned three generations.

Digital connectivity as priority

Bilawal argued that communication and digital infrastructure should be prioritized over traditional road projects. “If there is digital connectivity, every child will be able to connect digitally from home and conduct business through a mobile phone,” he said.

He pledged to provide high-quality internet through optical fibre networks, and if necessary, explore satellite-based services such as Starlink. “We have to invest in digital infrastructure so that we can fulfil our promise of Haq-i-Rozgar,” he added.

Land rights and mandate

Bilawal urged voters to hand the PPP a decisive mandate to secure land ownership rights. “Others may be participating in these elections for their own interests, but I am taking part to secure your right to self-governance, your right to employment, and your right to ownership of land,” he said.

Linking local struggle to global context

Bilawal also connected G-B’s struggle to broader regional challenges, citing conflicts in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran. He said the people of G-B must decide who they want to represent them in these testing times.

PPP legacy

He credited PPP founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto for making Pakistan’s defence “impregnable” by giving the country the atomic bomb, and praised former president Asif Ali Zardari for initiating the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project and shutting down foreign military bases in Pakistan.

Bilawal concluded by stressing that the PPP’s vision for G-B combines land rights, job creation, and digital empowerment, positioning the region as a cornerstone of Pakistan’s future prosperity.