Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) alleges that its leaders, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa president Junaid Akbar, were detained by the Gilgit-Baltistan administration during election campaign activities.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has accused the Gilgit-Baltistan government of detaining party leaders, including its Khyber Pakhtunkhwa president, MNA Junaid Akbar, and several lawmakers, amid pre-election campaigning. The incident occurred as political parties ramped up their efforts for upcoming elections in the region.
In a statement shared on social media platform X, PTI claimed that Akbar and other party members were stopped at a check post while returning from Ghizer district and subsequently taken to Gilgit by the administration. The party also released a video showing Akbar and his companions seated inside what appeared to be a van, with a man in police uniform visible in the background.
Earlier, Junaid Akbar had posted on X that PTI workers and supporters had gathered in Ghizer for a rally as part of their election campaign. He alleged that they were initially stopped while traveling to Ghizer, where district administration informed them they lacked the necessary "permit." He questioned why Pakistani citizens needed a no-objection certificate (NOC) to travel within their own country.
Akbar further stated, “Isn’t Gilgit-Baltistan a part of Pakistan? Why does a Pakistani need an NOC to travel within their own country?” He such actions were a clear indication of the administration's defeat and warned that any violation of constitutional rights would not be tolerated.
In another post, Akbar expressed his frustration: “I was told to leave Gilgit as I don’t have an NOC, and now I have been stopped at the checkpost again. Is Gilgit-Baltistan not a part of Pakistan?”
The PTI also accused the federal government of using state machinery to "steal the election." They alleged that their party symbol had been confiscated, they were prevented from running campaigns but instead arrested, and that PML-N leaders received VIP treatment.
Former National Assembly opposition leader Omar Ayub condemned the alleged detention of PTI leaders. He wrote on X: “Strongly condemn the arrest of PTI provincial president KPK Junaid Akbar Khan in Hunza, Gilgit-Baltistan. This action proves that the Form 47 installed regime wants a bogus ‘selection’ instead of a free and fair election.”
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi warned that if the detained parliamentarians were not released, he would personally intervene. He stated: “I will personally go there to question the puppet GB government and those working to install a fake government about the mistreatment of our parliamentarians.”
Afridi accused the administration of harming Pakistan by creating divisions and destroying the democratic system through forced exclusion of Imran Khan’s party. He also alleged that the Gilgit-Baltistan chief minister was not responding to his calls, adding: “This attitude is undemocratic and not political. We will not let GB turn into a no-go area.” He assured that the hospitable people of Gilgit-Baltistan would avenge this dishonour through their votes.
The incident has sparked concerns over electoral integrity in Gilgit-Baltistan and highlights ongoing tensions between political parties and local administrations ahead of the June 7 general elections.
