ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has officially approved the date for the upcoming Gilgit Baltistan elections, the elections for the Gilgit Baltistan Assembly are scheduled to take place on January 24, 2026.
Following the president’s approval, the Election Commission of Gilgit Baltistan, led by Chief Election Commissioner Abid Ali, will soon release a comprehensive election timetable. The commission also plans to hold an all-parties conference to consult with various political stakeholders regarding the electoral process.
The Gilgit Baltistan Assembly was dissolved on November 24 after completing its five-year term, which resulted in the resignation of Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan and his cabinet. Justice (retd) Yar Muhammad Nasir, a former judge of the Gilgit Baltistan Chief Court, has been appointed as the caretaker chief minister to oversee the region’s affairs until the elections.
The last elections for the Gilgit Baltistan Assembly were held in November 2020, covering 24 constituencies. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) emerged as the ruling party with Khalid Khurshid serving as chief minister. However, Khurshid was disqualified by the Gilgit Baltistan Chief Court in July 2023. Following his disqualification, a coalition government was formed by members of PTI’s splinter faction, along with the PPP and PML-N, which elected Khalid Khurshid as the new chief minister of the region.
