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GB Election Set for Jan. 24 as PML-N Presses NFC Funds and Big Projects Face Costly Approvals

Escalating project costs and financing pressures are shaping resource politics ahead of the GB vote.

Overview

  • Pakistan’s president approved the Gilgit-Baltistan election schedule, with nomination filings opening Dec. 15 and polling on Jan. 24.
  • Nawaz Sharif said Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir should receive National Finance Commission funds and pledged to raise the issue with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
  • The CDWP, chaired by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, cleared a revised Karachi Yellow Line estimate of Rs178.59 billion, about 190% higher than the 2019 cost, and sent it to ECNEC.
  • After talks with Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, transporters in Punjab ended their strike and signed a reconciliation resolution, with a joint committee to address demands.
  • An AFD delegation met National Grid Company officials in Lahore to review AFD-financed transmission projects and discuss potential funding, including the 220kV Ladhowala grid upgrade.