PTI Announces Boycott of AJK Elections in Solidarity with Kashmiri People

Islamabad: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced a boycott of the upcoming Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections, stating that participating in the electoral process under the current circumstances would not serve the interests of the Kashmiri people.

In a statement, the party said it stands firmly with the people of Azad Kashmir in their aspirations, right to self-determination, and democratic rights. PTI described its decision to stay away from the elections as a principled stance rather than a political strategy.

According to the statement, Azad Kashmir is facing a serious political and humanitarian crisis, with thousands of people staging protests and sit-ins in Rawalakot and other areas over their demands. The party also alleged that the use of force against protesters had resulted in the loss of lives and claimed that the suspension of food supplies from Punjab had created severe hardships for residents.

PTI maintained that the current situation is undermining the constitutional, democratic, and political identity of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and could adversely affect Pakistan’s longstanding policy on Kashmir.

The party said that elections lose their credibility and legitimacy when political activists face crackdowns, leaders are arrested, media freedoms are restricted, and freedom of expression is curtailed.

Reaffirming its support for the democratic rights of the Kashmiri people, PTI said it would not participate in the elections until normalcy is restored, the concerns of all political and public stakeholders are addressed, issues involving the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) are resolved through dialogue, the election schedule is reviewed, and all political parties are provided with a genuinely free and level playing field.

The party also announced the immediate suspension of all recommendations made by the AJK Parliamentary Board regarding the allocation of party tickets. It said no further progress on ticket distribution or other election-related matters would be made until the political situation improves and the party reviews its position.