Pakistan, June 7 -- Polling gathered pace across Gilgit-Baltistan on Sunday as voters turned out in large numbers to elect representatives for the regional assembly. Long queues appeared outside polling stations before voting officially began at 8am, reflecting strong public interest in the first election held in six years. Voting continued uninterrupted until 5pm under extensive administrative and security arrangements.

The election has emerged as a closely watched contest between the Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, with both parties investing heavily in their campaigns. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif addressed major public gatherings during the campaign, while political observ...