PML-N seeks votes on performance, not by criticizing rivals, says Nawaz

Former PM says disappointed to see roads in Gilgit Baltistan in bad shape: Asks why hydel projects are not completed: Calls Gilgit-Baltistan bastion of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor: Laments lack of expansion of Gilgit airport: Wants more and more people in GB get jobs: Says will not tolerate prolonged loadshedding in GB: Promises PML-N will give laptops, scholarships to students, if elected: Rues Diamer Bhasha Dam was not built despite land purchased for its construction

Published: 12:50 PM, 2 Jun, 2026
Pakistan, Featured News
PML-N seeks votes on performance, not by criticizing rivals, says Nawaz
Caption: Video grab

Asking why the previous government did not spend money on the people of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), former prime minister and PML-N President Nawaz Sharif said on Tuesday that the party’s strength lays in its performance and it does not want votes by criticizing opponents, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Addressing a public gathering held in connection with campaign for general elections to be held in GB on June 7, Nawaz Sharif enumerated the development projects initiated by the PML-N government in the area, and asked why hydel power projects were not completed.

The former prime minister said he wanted more and more people in GB to get jobs. He said the condition of roads in GB had disappointed him.

Nawaz said he was happy to see an enthusiastic crowd.

He recalled that Gilgit to Skardu road had been built at the cost of Rs50 billion under the last PML-N government.

The PML-N president went on to say he did not want to get votes by criticizing his opponents.

“I am speaking to you after many years. Isn’t that the case? Perhaps you have forgotten me,” Nawaz said while addressing the public in Gilgit.

Noting that he was fond of mountains, Nawaz said he “wholeheartedly loved” GB, which he said was a bastion of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

“When I love the area from my heart, then why would I not love the people from my heart? You live in my heart,” he quipped.

The ex-premier recalled that the PML-N government had built hospitals, power plants and hydel power plants.

“Tell me if any other party has even placed a brick here,” he questioned.

He also asked why the Gilgit airport was not developed on modern lines. “I will ask Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to expand the airport,” he said, adding that from now onwards, he would himself monitor the development projects in the area.

Nawaz said that he would not tolerate 20-hour loadshedding during summers and 12 to 13-hour loadshedding during winters in GB.

He said that it was the PML-N government, which had completed the Lowari Tunnel project, which had been delayed for years.

The ex-premier said he wanted the promotion of tourism in GB. “This will create job opportunities for the locals,” he added.

He said he would talk to PM Shehbaz for the resolution of the issues confronting the people of the area. “If elected, the PML-N government will give scholarships and laptops to students,” he said, adding that if the PML-N formed the government after the elections, he would visit GB every two or three months.

Nawaz said that one of the demands of the locals was that they wanted their share under the NFC Award. “Let me remind you that in this connection, the PML-N government had formed a committee in 2017, which had put forward recommendations,” he said, and lamented that after that his government was shown the door.

The PML-N president said that on several occasions, he was made to leave the country. “Don’t hold me responsible for that. I am not to blame for that. I am not in a mood to listen to such complaints. This is also your fault that you allowed this to happen.”

He said another point that was worth pondering over was that why he was put in jail. “I don’t want to go into details. But this is a fact,” he said, adding that all stakeholders would sit together and find a solution to it.

The former PM also asked why the road, which was to connect Mansehra and Gilgit, was not built.

He recalled that last time when he was the country’s prime minister, he had released Rs100 billion to purchase land for the construction of the Diamer Bhasha Dam. “The land is here, but the dam is nowhere to be seen,” he said, adding that if the PML-N government had been allowed to work, such issues would not have arisen.

 Arrival in Gilgit

Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) President Muhammad Nawaz Sharif arrived in Gilgit-Baltistan on a one-day visit early on Tuesday.

Federal ministers Khawaja Asif, Ahsan Iqbal, Rana Sanaullah, Senator Pervez Rashid, Punjab Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Senator Anusha Rehman and Kazim Pirzada are also accompanying Nawaz Sharif.

Upon his arrival in Gilgit, Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Engineer Amir Muqam, former Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Hafiz Hafeez-ur-Rehman, Captain (retd) Muhammad Safdar and other party leaders welcomed the party president.

Mian Nawaz Sharif will meet party leaders and party ticket holders contesting the Gilgit-Baltistan elections.

Reporter: Awais Kiyani

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