Barrister Gohar, Bilawal arrive in Skardu as G-B election campaign enters final stretch

PTI chairman alleges restrictions on party's campaign as PPP, PML-N leaders to hold rallies across region

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Pakistan People's Party Chairman (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari arrived in Skardu on Monday to lead their party campaigns for the upcoming Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) elections as the polling campaign enters its final phase.

In a statement on X, Barrister Gohar said he had reached the region to participate in what he described as a crucial political contest for the future of democracy in G-B. He was welcomed by party workers and supporters, and is expected to take part in a series of campaign activities across Skardu and surrounding areas in the coming days.

“This election is not merely a struggle for power but a decision about the future of democracy in Gilgit-Baltistan” the PTI chairman said. He added that the party’s campaign was focused on reaching voters across the region and conveying PTI founder Imran Khan’s message to every city, town, and village, and engaging with citizens from “all walks of life."

اس وقت میں سکردو، گلگت بلتستان الیکشن کمپین کے لیے پہنچ گیا ہوں- یہ انتخاب محض اقتدار کے حصول کی جدوجہد نہیں بلکہ GB میں جمہوریت کے تعین کا فیصلہ ہے ۔ ہم خان صاحب کا پیغام ہر شہر، قصبے اور گاؤں تک پہنچا رہے ہیں ، زندگی کے ہر شعبے سے تعلق رکھنے والے شہریوں سے رابطہ کررہے ہیں اور… pic.twitter.com/TEGhXUiZW5

— Barrister Gohar Khan (@BarristerGohar) June 1, 2026

Barrister Gohar said PTI was presenting its policy priorities, including economic development, good governance, and social justice, while appealing for public support.

He also alleged that the party was facing restrictions during its campaign. “Despite our election symbol being taken away, leaders being stopped and exiled, and our campaign being restricted while others operate freely, we continue our efforts,” he said.

He further remarked, “It is as if we are being portrayed as unpatriotic or non-Pakistani, but we leave that judgment to the public.”

Calling for a peaceful and disciplined campaign, the chairman said the party remained confident in public support and trust the people to seek their mandate based on “our vision, performance, and spirit of public service.”

Meanwhile, Bilawal is scheduled to launch his campaign from Gulabpur in Shigar district, where he will address a public rally later on Monday. He is also expected to address election gatherings in Skardu, Chilas, Ghizer, and Gilgit during his visit.

اسکردو: پاکستان پیپلزپارٹی کے چیئرمین بلاول بھٹو زرداری گلگت بلتستان کی انتخابی مہم کے لئے اسکردو پہنچ گئے

اسکردو: چیئرمین بلاول بھٹو زرداری کا پی پی پی پی کے سیکریٹری جنرل نیر بخاری، پی پی پی کے سیکریٹری جنرل ہمایوں خان، گلگت بلتستان کے گورنر سید مہدی شاہ، گورنر پنجاب سردار… pic.twitter.com/sEBMoYaZS7

— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) June 1, 2026

The chairman was received at the airport by PPP Secretary General Nayyar Bukhari, PPP G-B Secretary General Humayun Khan, G-B Governor Syed Mehdi Shah, Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan, and other party leaders.

He was also welcomed by PPP Central Information Secretary Nadeem Afzal Chan, Najmuddin Khan and other party office-bearers.

Senior leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have also reached the region to spearhead campaign activities. PML-N leaders including Khawaja Saad Rafique, Khurram Dastgir Khan, and Abid Sher Ali, are among party leaders who will lead the party's campaign in Gilgit.

Rafique addressed a series of public rallies across G-B on Sunday as part of his party's campaign drive. Other senior leaders of the ruling coalition, including federal ministers Attaullah Tarar and Amir Muqam, have also remained active in electioneering across multiple districts.

Read: Tensions mount in G-B ahead of vote

Meanwhile, PTI cited the unrestricted movement and campaigning of rival political leaders as evidence of what it described as unequal treatment during the election process. Allegations of pre-poll rigging, selective administrative restrictions, and institutional friction have intensified amid the upcoming election, raising fresh questions about the fairness of the electoral environment in the strategically significant region.

On Friday, senior PTI leader Asad Qaiser claimed that he was prevented from reaching Islamabad Airport and missed his flight to Skardu for the election campaign. Following the incident, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Mohammad Sohail Afridi wrote to the chief justice of the Supreme Appellate Court of G-B, seeking immediate judicial intervention into the matter.

Authorities cited the absence of a required no-objection certificate (NOC) for public gatherings. PTI denounced the move as a targeted obstruction while police maintained that no arrests had been made.

In April, the G-B Election Commission announced that general elections in the region would be held on June 7, 2026, after a four-month delay. Initially scheduled for January 24, 2026, the elections were postponed indefinitely due to harsh weather conditions in the region.

Punjab Police confirmed on Sunday that more than 5,000 personnel would be deployed for election duty in G-B.