The recent elections in Gilgit‑Baltistan have placed the Pakistan Peoples Party in a strong position to form the next government, with early results showing the party ahead in the unofficial count. While Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has already extended congratulations to the PPP, the polling process has not been free of controversy. Both the PPP and PTI have alleged irregularities, with claims of rigging surfacing during the vote. In response, the local election commission has announced a re‑poll on five seats, scheduled for next week. It is essential that these complaints are addressed transparently to ensure the legitimacy of the electoral process and the credibility of the incoming administration.

Unless the re‑poll dramatically alters the outcome, the PPP is expected to lead the new government, potentially in coalition with the PML‑N. The party has a long history in GB, having formed governments in the region before, but the challenges it faces today are far more complex than simply securing power. Over the past few years, GB has witnessed repeated protests over wheat subsidies, prolonged power breakdowns, taxation disputes, and broader questions of governance. At the heart of these demonstrations lies a deep sense of alienation among the people, who feel that their assembly lacks real authority and that decisions affecting their lives are made in Islamabad.

The incoming cabinet must work diligently to change these perceptions. While the constitutional question of GB’s status within Pakistan — including the possibility of provisional provincial recognition pending resolution of the Kashmir dispute — is complicated, local governance does not require sweeping constitutional amendments to improve. What is needed is responsiveness to the electorate’s demands and a commitment to delivering basic services. If the government fails to address these needs, the people may once again take to the streets, as they have done repeatedly in recent years.

The traditional brand of politics is unlikely to succeed in GB. The region’s electorate is increasingly young, educated, and unwilling to be swayed by patronage networks or the influence of local notables. Their demands are straightforward: fundamental rights, priority over the region’s resources, and a meaningful voice in shaping GB’s future. These are not unreasonable expectations, and they must be taken seriously by both the federal authorities and the newly elected regional government.

Promises alone will not suffice. GB’s voters want tangible action, not rhetoric. The new administration must demonstrate through policy and delivery that it is committed to addressing grievances and improving governance. The federal government, too, must assure the people of GB that their concerns are recognised and that efforts will be made to resolve both constitutional and civic issues. The elections have provided an opportunity for renewal, but whether this opportunity is seized will depend on the seriousness with which the incoming government approaches its responsibilities.