General elections for the Gilgit-Baltistan assembly were originally set for January 24, 2026, while local government polls — scheduled after a 20-year gap — were planned for February 14, 2026. Both were postponed indefinitely due to severe weather.
GB Chief Election Commissioner Raja Shehbaz Khan said on Saturday that the commission is preparing for the elections but has not yet set new dates. He added that the public will be informed once the schedule is finalized.
The caretaker government had intended to hold a multiparty conference on March 24 to consult political parties and issue a revised schedule by the end of March. However, no progress has been reported.
On Friday, the GB chapter of the PPP urged the CEC to announce the election dates immediately, emphasizing that timely elections are essential for the constitutional functioning of the political system. The party noted that security and weather conditions have improved, making elections feasible.
GB’s caretaker Information Minister Ghulam Abbas told Dawn that announcing the election schedule falls under the commission’s mandate, but the government will fully support efforts to ensure free and fair polls.
