Gilgit Baltistan, June 30, 2015:- India raised objection on June 8 elections in Gilgit Baltistan, people of Gilgit Baltistan out rightly rejected elections but Pakistan bulldozed all voices of reason and dissent. It went ahead with the sham elections, ISI barred local leaders to contest elections, hundreds and thousands of Pakistani’s were transported on the voting day, it was a drama and leaders were once again selected and not elected. Pakistan Muslim League (N) has emerged victorious in the recently held elections to Gilgit Baltistan legislative assembly. The party has won 14 seats out of the total 24 -- enough to form the government on its own. However, the nationalists allege the PML (N) has followed the suit of its predecessor Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) by rigging elections. It has been a tradition in Gilgit Baltistan that whatsoever party holds power in Islamabad tries to influence the electorate to win elections. Earlier, in the 2009 elections, the PPP swept the polls in the mountainous region, when it was holding power at the centre. Nationalists say any party, whether PML (N) or PPP, operates on the instructions of Pakistan’s spy agency -- ISI --- in the disgruntled region, as it helps them in winning the elections. The first election for Gilgit Baltistan Legislative Assembly (GBLA) was held in 2009, after the Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self-Governance Order-2009 was passed by the Pakistani cabinet ‘granting the region self-rule and autonomy.’Prior to this, the region used to be directly ruled from Islamabad. The nationalists have been opposing the act and holding elections in the disputed region, as they demand freedom from the Pakistani misrule. However, their resolve is silenced with draconian laws.
