India Protests Pakistan’s Election Plans in Gilgit-Baltistan
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By Pranjal Gupta
New Delhi, June 5: India strongly condemned Pakistan on Friday for announcing general elections in the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly, which Pakistan claimed as its own territory. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) came down heavily on the neighbouring country, asking it to vacate the territories, which it possessed illegally. As per Islamabad, elections will be held in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on July 27.
"The Government of India lodged a strong protest with Pakistan regarding the latter’s plans to hold “General Elections” to the so-called 'Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly', in the Indian territories illegally and forcibly occupied by Pakistan, scheduled for 7 June 2026," said the MEA in a statement.
The MEA reiterated that the entire Jammu and Kashmir region, along with Ladakh, is an “integral and inalienable part” of India as a result of complete, legal and irrevocable accession of Jammu & Kashmir to India in 1947. The territory includes POK's Gilgit-Baltistan assembly too.
The ministry opposed any attempts by Pakistan to bring any “material change” to the region.
"The Government of India categorically rejects any attempts by Pakistan to bring material change to areas under Pakistan’s illegal occupation, and underlines that such actions cannot hide the fact that Pakistan illegally remains in possession of Indian territories, which it must vacate," it said.
"The Government of India further emphasized that such endeavours by Pakistan cannot mask the underlying issues of grave human rights violations, political repression, economic exploitation and denial of freedom in territories illegally occupied by Pakistan," it added.
Gilgit-Baltistan Election Notification
According to a notification issued by Pakistan, the regional Election Commission announced on Friday that candidates can file their nomination papers between June 9 and June 19, reported news agency PTI. Scrutiny of the nominations will take place on June 20, while polling is scheduled for July 27. The election will be conducted under the supervision of the army, paramilitary forces and civil armed forces, officials said.
The Legislative Assembly comprises 53 seats, of which 45 are filled through direct elections. The remaining eight seats are reserved for women, technocrats and religious scholars. Members of the assembly serve a five-year term.
