GILGIT: Internet services have been suspended in Gilgit-Baltistan ahead of the upcoming elections for the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly.
Elections for all 24 seats of the GB Assembly will be held tomorrow, with a total of 403 candidates contesting. Several constituencies are expected to witness tough competition between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
Among the political parties, the PPP has fielded candidates on 23 seats, while the PML-N has nominated candidates on 22 seats. The Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) has fielded 15 candidates, Pakistan Muslim League 11, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) 9, and Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen 7 candidates. Jamaat-e-Islami and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) have fielded candidates on 6 seats each. In addition, around 266 independent candidates are also in the electoral race.
A total of 958,480 voters are eligible to cast their votes in the elections.
To ensure security, internet services in Gilgit city have been completely suspended. The shutdown includes mobile internet, fiber internet, and Wi-Fi services, causing communication difficulties for residents.
Meanwhile, the government has neither officially confirmed the suspension of internet services in Gilgit city nor issued any notification in this regard. However, political party leaders and local residents believe that the services have been suspended in view of the upcoming elections.
