Haji Gulbar Khan announced the formation of a new Gilgit Baltistan group at a press conference held at the National Press Club in Islamabad, saying the like-minded platform will field candidates in the 2026 elections and work to address long-standing regional issues. Present with him were former ministers and senior political leaders including Raja Azam Khan, Haji Shah Baig, Shamsul Haq, Khan Akbar Khan, Iman Shah, Fatahullah Khan, Zafar Muhammad Shudam Khel, Captain (R) Muhammad Shafi and Maulana Sultan Raees.
Haji Gulbar Khan said the new Gilgit Baltistan group emerged from the PTI Forward Block experience and was created to provide a strong, united platform for candidates across all 24 constituencies. He stressed that doors remain open for dialogue with all political parties and that a decision on joining any national party will be taken after broad consultations with group members.
The announcement recalled the political developments of 2023 and 2025, noting that on 4 July 2023 the Chief Court of Gilgit Baltistan disqualified Khalid Khurshid, after which the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf formed a Forward Block and on 13 July 2023 secured the leader of the house vote, expressing full confidence in Haji Gulbar Khan. Haji Gulbar Khan served as Chief Minister until 24 November 2025.
Explaining the rationale for the Gilgit Baltistan group, Haji Gulbar Khan highlighted governance and reform achievements during his tenure. He said the administration increased wheat quotas and digitalized the distribution system to end shortages that had caused public anxiety. A landmark step, he noted, was the Leaders Reform Act that resolved a 78-year-old public demand by restoring ownership of government-held lands to the people, creating what he described as a new chapter in the region’s history.
The group also pointed to the digitalization of the Mines and Minerals Department to enhance transparency and to the resolution of legitimate grievances brought by teachers, doctors, paramedical staff and other government employees who had previously staged strikes and sit-ins. These measures, the leaders said, demonstrated their capacity to deliver under financial and administrative constraints and formed the basis for the Gilgit Baltistan group to contest the upcoming polls.
Looking ahead to 2026, the Gilgit Baltistan group pledged to present strong candidates in every constituency, aim to win the maximum number of seats, and pursue government formation to take responsibility for solving the region’s problems through focused governance and reforms. The group emphasized that its platform is intended to give voters a clear, performance-based choice in the coming election.
