Analysts expect a close by-election race in Skardu between PPP and an independent candidate
A by-election to the local assembly will be held on September 5 in the GBA-09 constituency in Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan. Analysts expect a close contest between PPP candidate Akhtar Abbas Nashad and independent candidate, former minister Muhammad Saleem, Dawn reports.
Thirty-three thousand voters will be eligible to take part in the vote. Polling stations will operate from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. A total of 10 candidates submitted documents to participate in the election, including Muhammad Ajmal of PML-N.
Reason for the by-election
The by-election was scheduled after the Gilgit-Baltistan Supreme Appellate Court disqualified PPP candidate Fida Muhammad Nashad. He won the GBA-09 constituency in the general election on June 7, but his opponent Zakir Hussain challenged the politician's eligibility to be a member of the assembly.
On July 9, the court disqualified Nashad over the concealment of assets in his nomination papers. The court also overturned a May 25, 2026 ruling by the Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Court that had allowed him to contest the election and upheld the decision of the election tribunal. Initially, Nashad's nomination papers were rejected by the official responsible for registering candidates, and that decision was later upheld by the election tribunal.
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Security at polling stations
Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Election Commissioner Raja Shahbaz Khan said that security arrangements, personnel deployment and other organizational procedures had been completed. He pledged to ensure “transparent, impartial and peaceful” elections and stressed that obstruction of voting would not be tolerated.
According to district election officer Hamza Murad, 61 polling stations will operate in the constituency. Twenty-five sensitive polling stations were classified as category A, another 11 were designated as category B stations with a medium level of risk, and 25 as regular category C stations. Gilgit-Baltistan Police, Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts and military personnel have been deployed for security.
PPP currently holds 13 seats in the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly, PML-N holds nine, and the Istehkam-i-Pakistan party holds six. Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen and an independent lawmaker supported by PTI each hold one seat.
