GILGIT: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif made a rare public appearance in Gilgit on Tuesday, marking his first visit to the region since 2016. Addressing a public rally ahead of the upcoming Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly elections, he expressed concern over the state of infrastructure and the slow pace of development projects in the region.
Speaking to supporters in Gilgit city, Sharif said the people of Gilgit-Baltistan remained close to his heart and recalled the development initiatives launched during his tenure as prime minister. He maintained that his party seeks public support based on its performance rather than criticism of political opponents.
The former premier highlighted several major projects initiated under his government, including the Gilgit-Skardu Highway, which he said was launched at a cost of approximately Rs50 billion. He questioned why a number of development schemes, including hydropower projects, had yet to be completed despite being announced years ago.
“Projects are started here but never completed,” Sharif told the gathering, pointing to hospitals, power projects and other infrastructure schemes that were launched during the PML-N government but remain unfinished.
Sharif also referenced his government’s broader development agenda, citing the expansion of Pakistan’s motorway network and the completion of the Lowari Tunnel. He pledged that if the PML-N returns to power, he would make frequent visits to Gilgit-Baltistan and personally monitor the progress of ongoing development projects.
The rally was particularly significant as it marked Sharif’s first visit to Gilgit-Baltistan in nearly a decade. During his speech, he also reflected on his political journey, mentioning his periods of exile and imprisonment. He questioned the circumstances surrounding his removal from power and urged supporters to consider the broader political environment that led to those events.
Since returning to Pakistan in October 2023 after spending four years abroad, Sharif has largely remained away from frontline politics, focusing instead on internal party affairs. During the 2024 general election campaign, the PML-N was primarily led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, while Nawaz Sharif maintained a relatively limited public role.
However, his participation in campaign activities ahead of the Gilgit-Baltistan elections has reignited speculation about a possible return to a more active political role. The elections for the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly are scheduled for June 7, with major political leaders, including Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, also campaigning in the region to secure support for their respective parties.
About The Author
