LAHORE – The PML-N has constituted parliamentary boards for the upcoming elections in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, assigning them a role in selecting candidates. The boards will operate under the leadership of party president Nawaz Sharif.
The parliamentary boards will be authorised to finalise candidates contesting the elections and issue party tickets accordingly. Senior party leaders, including Shehbaz Sharif, Ishaq Dar, Maryam Nawaz, and Hamza Shehbaz, have been included in the boards.
Separate Boards for Each Region
Separate 23-member parliamentary boards have been formed for Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The boards will be responsible for screening candidates and awarding party tickets for the upcoming elections in both regions.
Context of Elections
The Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly elections have been delayed for months. General elections for the assembly were scheduled for January 24, 2026, but were postponed indefinitely due to harsh weather conditions. Local government polls, announced after a gap of 20 years, were set for February 14, 2026, but were also postponed.
The PPP has demanded that the election schedule for the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly be issued immediately. The GB Election Commission has stated that it is preparing to conduct the elections but has not yet decided on a date.
For Azad Jammu and Kashmir, elections are also expected in the coming months, though no date has been announced.
PML-N’s Electoral Strategy
The formation of parliamentary boards under Nawaz Sharif’s leadership reflects the PML-N’s preparation for these elections. By including senior party leaders such as Shehbaz Sharif, Ishaq Dar, Maryam Nawaz, and Hamza Shehbaz, the party is signalling that these elections are a priority.
The 23-member boards will have the authority to finalise candidates and issue party tickets, centralising the selection process under the party’s top leadership.
Analysis: Consolidating Control
The PML-N’s decision to form parliamentary boards under Nawaz Sharif’s leadership for the Gilgit-Baltistan and AJK elections reflects a strategy of consolidating control over candidate selection. By centralising the process, the party aims to avoid internal disputes and ensure that loyal party members are awarded tickets.
The inclusion of senior leaders — including the prime minister, deputy prime minister, and the chief minister of Punjab — indicates the importance the party places on these elections. For the PML-N, winning in Gilgit-Baltistan and AJK would strengthen its position nationally.
As the election dates remain uncertain, the party is preparing nonetheless. The boards are now in place; the next step will be the actual selection of candidates once election schedules are announced.
