PESHAWAR: The PTI on Friday alleged that its Khyber Pakhtunkhwa president and Member of the National Assembly, Junaid Akbar, was “arrested” in Gilgit-Baltistan while campaigning for the upcoming elections and was later expelled from the region.
In an initial post on X, the PTI claimed that “PTI KP President Junaid Akbar, along with MNAs Saleemur Rehman, Amjab Ali Khan, Syed Mehboob Shah, MPA Naeem and Dr Nawaz, were arrested by the GB government and administration at a check post while returning from Ghizer district.”
According to the party, the leaders were subsequently taken to Gilgit. PTI also shared a video on X showing the alleged arrest, in which Akbar and several others could be seen sitting inside what appeared to be a van, while a man in police uniform was visible in the background.
Earlier, Junaid Akbar had posted on X that PTI workers and supporters had reached Ghizer to hold a rally ahead of the June 7 general elections in Gilgit-Baltistan.
In another post, Akbar alleged that he and his companions were stopped while travelling to Ghizer, with the district administration informing them that they did not possess the required “permit”.
Questioning the move, Akbar wrote, “Isn’t Gilgit-Baltistan a part of Pakistan? Why does a Pakistani need a no-objection certificate (NOC) to travel within their own country?”
He further stated, “Fascist tactics and panic are a clear declaration of their defeat. If they lack the courage to compete in the field, then why stage this election drama? This open violation of constitutional rights and fascism will not be accepted under any circumstances.”
In a later post, Akbar claimed that he had been instructed to leave Gilgit due to the absence of an NOC and that he had once again been stopped at a check post. “Is Gilgit-Baltistan not a part of Pakistan?” he questioned again.
Subsequently, both Akbar and the PTI announced on X that he had been “expelled” from Gilgit-Baltistan.
In another statement, Akbar accused the federal government of using tactics aimed at “stealing the election”.
“Our party’s symbol has been snatched from us, we are not allowed to run election campaigns and are instead being arrested,” he alleged. “We were stopped in Gilgit, arrested, and expelled from the province, while PML-N leaders are being provided VIP protocol and full security.”
The PTI described the “arrest and expulsion” of Akbar during the election campaign as an act of political revenge, pre-poll rigging, and an attack on democracy.
The party demanded a level playing field for all political parties and called for free, fair, and transparent elections in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Before reports of Akbar’s expulsion surfaced, former National Assembly opposition leader Omar Ayub also condemned the alleged arrest through a post 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,” he wrote.
Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi warned that if the parliamentarians were not released, he would personally travel to Gilgit-Baltistan to question the “puppet GB government” and those allegedly working to impose a “fake government” over the treatment of PTI lawmakers.
He claimed that such actions were damaging Pakistan and deepening political divisions in the country.
“Such behaviour is increasing hatred, and such steps are creating divisions. Those whose responsibility is to protect the public mandate are instead robbing Pakistanis of their mandate,” he stated.
Afridi further alleged that by denying a level playing field in the elections and using oppression and coercion against Imran Khan’s party, the democratic system was being undermined.
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 allow Gilgit-Baltistan to become a no-go area,” he said, adding that the “hospitable” people of GB would respond to this alleged dishonour of their guests through the power of their votes.