The opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party on Tuesday alleged that its Secretary General Salman Akram Raja and other party leaders were prevented from entering Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) by police, in an effort to obstruct their participation in the election campaign for the upcoming June 7 general elections in the region.
Police Blockade and Expulsion
In a post on X, PTI Secretary General Raja stated that party leaders including Shaukat Basra, Naeem Haider Panjutha, and Zaheer Babar, along with local members of the Insaf Students Federation (ISF), were stopped by GB police soon after entering the northern territory and later expelled from the region. He shared a video of himself speaking with police who were apparently not allowing him to proceed to their destination.
Allegations of Suppression
PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram termed the incident "a repeat of the suppression tactics used against PTI leadership ahead of and during the 2024 national elections." He alleged that blatant rigging was underway and grave violations of the electoral process were being committed in GB, drawing parallels with what he described as massive electoral fraud during the February 8, 2024 general elections.
Akram claimed that police personnel were stationed with formal lists, identifying and stopping PTI-affiliated individuals from entering the region based on their names and faces. "This action constitutes a clear violation of the Constitution and democratic principles," he said.
He further alleged a systematic campaign under the guise of issuing no objection certificates (NOCs), mirroring administrative hurdles and restrictions imposed on PTI candidates and workers across Pakistan during the February 8 election. PTI candidates and leadership were being deliberately denied NOCs to restrict their election campaign, he added. "The denial of permission for public rallies, processions, and corner meetings clearly shows that the government machinery is working on a specific agenda," Akram stated.
Rigging and Vote Division
Akram further alleged that in constituencies where PTI candidates were strong, the administration, the Election Commission, and other powerful circles were jointly attempting to divide votes and influence results. "Independent candidates are being pressured to support government-backed parties, which raises serious questions about the transparency of the electoral process," he said.
The information secretary expressed grave concerns about plans to rig the results in GB. "The party has no confidence left in postal ballots or the polling day process," he added.
Response to PPP Chairman
Responding to Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s recent statement in a public rally where he said he would "take care of Form 47," Akram remarked that the entire nation knew these parties were already sitting in Form 47. He described this as a clear and open admission of pre-poll rigging by the PPP and its allies.
Akram pointed out that government parties, particularly Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and PPP, were enjoying full state patronage, with the administration providing them facilities and protocol for public meetings, while every door was shut on PTI.
Demand for Equal Opportunities
Akram demanded that all political parties should be provided equal electoral opportunities and that discriminatory treatment in the name of NOCs be stopped immediately. "PTI leadership and workers should be allowed free movement and election campaigning in Gilgit-Baltistan," he added. He urged the Election Commission of GB to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities and ensure transparent elections.
