GB Chief Minister Vows Timely Elections, Faster Development

GILGIT: (Our Correspondent) – Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Amjad Hussain Advocate has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to holding local government elections on schedule while accelerating key hydropower projects and introducing reforms to improve governance and development across the region.

Chairing a series of high-level meetings, the chief minister said the Pakistan Peoples Party believes in strengthening democracy through timely local body elections. He said the polls would help empower local communities, encourage new political leadership and transfer authority to the grassroots level.

Amjad Hussain also opposed restrictions on independent candidates, describing them as inconsistent with democratic values. He announced that, after consultations with political parties, the provincial government would amend the relevant laws to allow independent candidates to contest local government elections. Despite acknowledging shortcomings in election rules and ward delimitations, he assured that the electoral process would not face delays and that all necessary resources would be provided.

Reviewing the 40MW Hunzal Hydropower Project and the 16MW Naltar Hydropower Project, the chief minister stressed the importance of completing both schemes to address Gilgit-Baltistan’s growing electricity needs. He directed officials to finalize all documentation for the Hunzal project within two months, obtain ECNEC approval and begin construction immediately, with a target completion time of around 18 months.

He also announced that the 16MW Naltar Hydropower Project would be inaugurated on August 31 alongside the provincial cabinet, making it clear that no further delays in the project would be accepted.

During a separate meeting on the province’s development agenda, the chief minister pledged that government resources would be used solely for public welfare and sustainable development. He emphasized timely project completion, improved transparency, stronger governance and administrative reforms while discouraging politically motivated development schemes.