Bilawal pledges land ownership rights in GB, attacks critics of 18th Amendment

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Friday pledged to implement a recently passed land ownership law in Gilgit-Baltistan if his party wins a strong mandate in the region's June 7 elections. Speaking at a rally at Gilgit's Shahi Polo Ground, he also defended the 18th Constitutional Amendment and vowed to expand constitutional rights for the territory.

What did Bilawal promise on land ownership rights in Gilgit-Baltistan?

Bilawal said legislation granting land ownership rights had already been passed by the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly and now required implementation. The law converts 28,000 square miles of government-owned land into common land. He argued that only a PPP government could safeguard the legislation and prevent it from being reversed by opponents.

Why does Bilawal say PPP is the only party that can protect GB's rights?

Bilawal told voters that any party other than the PPP coming to power would tear the land ownership legislation apart. He urged residents to vote for the PPP regardless of partisan affiliation, framing the election as a referendum on protecting property rights. He also referenced the previous regional elections, claiming the PPP had been deprived of victory despite securing a majority according to polling records.

"This time, the people must protect Form 45," he said, referring to official election result forms. "We will not allow anyone to steal the public mandate."

What did Bilawal say about the 18th Amendment and Punjab?

Bilawal criticized political opponents he did not directly name, saying Punjab had benefited most from the 18th Amendment but was no longer willing to defend it. He directed sharp words at PTI as well, saying its leaders in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were focused on securing the release of "Prisoner No. 420" rather than on governance. Land rights and 18th Amendment protections formed the central planks of the PPP's Gilgit-Baltistan election manifesto.

What economic promises did Bilawal make for Gilgit-Baltistan?

Bilawal described Gilgit-Baltistan as the "Koh-e-Noor of Pakistan's destiny" and argued that digital development would unlock the region's economic potential. He said a PPP government would pursue optical fiber links from China or, as an alternative, Starlink satellite internet from the United States. He also promised public-private partnership projects in health care and housing, including support for people displaced by floods.

When are the Gilgit-Baltistan general elections?

General elections in Gilgit-Baltistan are scheduled for Sunday, June 7, after being delayed four months due to severe winter weather. Bilawal has spent the past week campaigning across the region, holding rallies in Shigar, Skardu, Diamer and Ghizer. At those events he called for greater constitutional protections, economic empowerment and swift resettlement of people affected by the Diamer-Bhasha Dam project.