Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Thursday announced a boycott of the July 27 general elections for Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), citing the prevailing circumstances in the region following violent protests.
PTI's Decision and Justification
Interim Chairman PTI Gohar Ali Khan stated in a post on X that the party decided not to participate in the AJK elections. The decision was made in consultation with allies and party leadership in AJK, taking into account the sentiments of the Kashmiri people and the current situation. Khan emphasized that while elections should be a just, independent, and transparent process, the situation in Azad Kashmir is contrary to that ideal.
Khan announced the suspension of all party work and the AJK Parliamentary Board regarding ticket distribution. He expressed hope that PTI supporters in AJK would back this decision.
Legal and Political Context
Earlier this week, the AJK Supreme Court suspended a High Court order that had granted interim relief to PTI in its dispute with the Election Commission over party registration. On June 23, the AJK High Court had directed the commission to provisionally register PTI, overturning a May 16 decision that rejected the party's registration application.
The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) criticized PTI's move. Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhary called it an act to evade the electoral process, accusing PTI of political weakness and fear of losing public support. He stated, “PTI’s decision to withdraw from the Azad Kashmir elections is not an act of principled politics; rather, it is a clear indication of political weakness, fear of losing public support, and an attempt to avoid the electoral contest.” Chaudhary added that if PTI truly believed in democracy, it would have faced the electorate instead of abandoning the field.
PTI's Stated Reasons
In a separate statement, PTI detailed reasons for the boycott, claiming Azad Kashmir is facing a severe crisis with thousands of citizens holding a sit-in in Rawalakot and other areas to press legitimate demands. The party alleged that state force by the government resulted in loss of precious lives and that the supply of essential commodities from Punjab to Azad Kashmir has been completely stopped, causing immense hardship. PTI demanded an immediate and just solution to these problems instead of pushing Kashmiri people into further political instability.
The opposition party said it would not participate in elections until the situation normalizes, concerns of all political and public forces are addressed, and matters related to the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) are resolved through mutual understanding. PTI demanded a review of the election schedule and a truly equal and free electoral environment for all political parties.
