ISLAMABAD:
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Friday claimed that its Khyber Pakhtunkhwa president, MP Junaid Akbar, along with several legislators and party leaders, were “arrested” by the Gilgit-Baltistan government and administration during the party’s election campaign ahead of the June 7 general elections in the region.
In a statement published on
This development came as political parties intensified their campaign for the upcoming elections in Gilgit-Baltistan.
PTI also shared a video of the alleged arrest on social media, showing Akbar and other leaders sitting inside what appeared to be a van, while a man in a police uniform was visible in the background.
Earlier, Junaid Akbar had posted on X that PTI workers and supporters had gathered in Ghizer for a rally on Friday as part of the party’s election campaign.
According to another message from Akbar, he and his companions were first arrested on their way to Ghizer, where, he said, the district administration informed them that they did not have the required “permit”.
“Isn’t Gilgit-Baltistan part of Pakistan? Why does a Pakistani need a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to travel within their own country? » he questioned.
“Fascist tactics and panic are a clear declaration of their defeat. If they do not have the courage to compete on the ground, then why stage this election drama? This open violation of constitutional rights and fascism will not be accepted under any circumstances,” he said.
In a later message, he added: “I was told to leave Gilgit as I don’t have an NOC, and now I am stopped at the checkpost again. Is Gilgit-Baltistan not part of Pakistan?
In another post shared from its X account, the PTI accused the federal government of using the state machinery to “steal elections”.
“Our party symbol has been snatched from us, we are not allowed to conduct election campaigns but are arrested… We have been arrested in Gilgit, arrested and expelled from the province, while PML-N leaders are given VIP protocol and full security,” the message said.
Former Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub also condemned the alleged detention of PTI leaders.
“Strongly condemn the arrest of PTI KPK Provincial Chairman Junaid Akbar Khan in Hunza, Gilgit-Baltistan. This action proves that the regime installed by Form 47 wants a fake ‘selection’ instead of free and fair elections,” he wrote on X.
Meanwhile, KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi warned that if the detained parliamentarians were not released, he would personally intervene.
“I will personally go there to question the British puppet government and those working to install a fake government about the mistreatment of our parliamentarians,” he said in a post on X.
He added that such actions were “harming Pakistan”.
“Such behavior increases hatred and such measures create divisions. Those whose job it is to protect the public mandate always deprive Pakistanis of their mandate.
“By failing to create a level playing field in elections and using force, oppression and coercion, [excluding] Party of Imran Khan Sahib, the democratic system is being destroyed,” he said.
The KP chief minister also claimed that the Gilgit-Baltistan chief minister was not responding to his calls.
“This attitude is undemocratic and unpolitical. We will not let Britain become a lawless zone,” he said, adding that the “hospitable” people of Gilgit-Baltistan would avenge this dishonor of their guests with their votes.
