Gilgit: Former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has vowed to continue supporting development initiatives in Gilgit-Baltistan after electoral win.
Addressing a public gathering in Gilgit on Tuesday, Nawaz Sharif said he was a leader who sought votes based on performance rather than criticism of political opponents. He expressed happiness over the large public gathering and said he had deep affection for Gilgit-Baltistan, recalling that during his tenure as prime minister he had visited Gilgit and Skardu multiple times.
The former premier criticised the condition of roads leading to the region, saying that infrastructure in several areas had deteriorated despite earlier development work.
Nawaz Sharif said his governments had previously constructed major highways and initiated development projects, including hydropower schemes, questioning delays in their completion. He also referred to the construction of the Gilgit-Skardu road project, reportedly built at a cost of Rs50 billion.
He said his administration had expanded motorway networks across the country and worked to address electricity shortages, adding that development in Gilgit-Baltistan would remain a priority regardless of electoral outcomes.
'If we form the government, I will visit Gilgit-Baltistan every two months,' he said, adding that his focus remained on resolving public issues rather than political criticism.
Nawaz Sharif praised initiatives by Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, saying solar energy projects had helped reduce the region's power crisis, and urged further federal attention to Gilgit-Baltistan's development.
He further said he would raise the issue of improving the road network up to Khunjerab Pass with the prime minister, noting that Gilgit-Baltistan was a key hub of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
During the speech, he also announced plans for scholarships, laptops for students, interest-free loans for youth, and expanded employment opportunities.
Nawaz Sharif said he had not come to seek votes but to address the region's problems, adding that future development projects would be personally overseen by him.
He further said that around 150,000 houses were being provided in Punjab, adding that similar support in the form of business loans should be extended to young people in Gilgit-Baltistan.
During his visit, PML-N president was accompanied by Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhry, Inter-Provincial Coordination Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan, Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, senators Pervaiz Rasheed and Anusha Rahman, as well as Punjab Minister Kazim Ali Pirzada.
Upon arrival, the PML-N supremo was received by Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Engineer Amir Muqam, his son-in-law retired Captain Mohammad Safdar, former Gilgit-Baltistan chief minister Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman and other party leaders.