Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has alleged that nine of his party’s seats were “stolen” in the previous election in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and expressed hope that there would be no such irregularities this time.

Addressing a public gathering in Shigar ahead of June 7 elections in the region, he said the PPP continued to demand free and fair elections in Gilgit-Baltistan.

“Our demand is still that there should be transparent elections in Gilgit-Baltistan. You should return with Form 45 in your hands; I will handle Form 47,” he said, referring to electoral forms used in vote tabulation.

Bilawal said the PPP’s manifesto is aimed at securing the rights of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, including their right to self-governance.

He added that meaningful representation would only be ensured when elections in Gilgit-Baltistan and Pakistan are held simultaneously.

He said elections in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir should be held at the same time as general elections in Pakistan.

Recalling his visit to Shigar, he said three generations in the region have supported the PPP, adding that previous attempts to weaken the party had failed due to public support.

Paying tribute to PPP founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Bilawal said the former prime minister struggled for the rights of the people and gave Pakistan its unanimous constitution.

He also credited Bhutto with making Pakistan a nuclear power and promoting the slogan of “bread, clothing, and shelter.”

Bilawal said he had come again to seek public support, adding that the PPP had never been disappointed by the people of the region.

He further said that if the people of Shigar were given authority, the area would see economic development.

Criticising centralised decision-making, he said authorities in Islamabad often believe everything belongs to them.

He also cited the Thar coal project as an example of provincial control benefiting local development, saying it had helped improve conditions in Tharparkar and across Sindh.