ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced it will boycott the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections scheduled for July 27, saying it will not participate in the electoral process under the prevailing political circumstances.
In a statement, the party said the decision was not intended to achieve any political gain or loss but was taken in solidarity with the people of Kashmir and in support of democratic values.
PTI said it would stay away from the electoral process until an independent, just and peaceful political environment is established in AJK.
The party’s parliamentary board has also suspended all recommendations regarding the award of election tickets, stating that no further progress on candidate selection will be made until further orders.
What is behind the political unrest in AJK?
The announcement comes amid continuing protests linked to the banned Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC). On June 5, the AJK government outlawed the organisation under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) following violent demonstrations.
The ban preceded the group’s planned June 9 protest against the 12 seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly reserved for refugees from Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir who migrated to Pakistan after 1947.
PTI said AJK was facing a political crisis, claiming that thousands of people were continuing sit-ins across several areas, including Rawalakot. The party urged the authorities to address the protesters’ concerns immediately to prevent further political instability.
The party also alleged that food supplies from Punjab to AJK had been completely suspended. However, the federal government and the AJK inspector general of police have previously rejected the claim, maintaining that there were no restrictions on the movement of essential goods.