Pakistan, June 8 -- The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) emerged as the leading political force in the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly elections, according to preliminary and unofficial results released after voting concluded across the region on Sunday.

Read More: GB polling concludes peacefully: PPP, PML-N and PTI claim leads

The election process remained largely peaceful, with voters turning out in significant numbers to cast ballots for the 24-seat Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly. Early results from 18 constituencies indicated that the PPP had secured nine seats, placing it ahead of its rivals in the race to form the next regional government.

According to unofficial counts, independent candidates won six seats, while the Pakistan Muslim League-Naw...