New applicant seeks PTI registration in AJK ahead of poll body hearing

MUZAFFARABAD: The Election Commission of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) is set to address the registration case of Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday. However, a new development emerged on Monday when an unfamiliar applicant submitted a request to register a party under the same name, asserting that it had been “founded by Akbar S. Babar”.

Previously, the registration of most political parties with the AJK Election Commission under Section 128 of the AJK Elections Act, 2020, was revoked on technical grounds. This action followed an October 2023 judgment by the AJK High Court, which stated that many parties had allegedly failed to meet statutory requirements. The court clarified that while branches of Pakistani political parties could be established in Azad Kashmir, only a state subject was eligible to apply for registration.

The court further emphasized, “No Pakistani political party can treat its branch as a ‘brand’ or ‘franchise’, as this runs counter to basic democratic norms.” Section 128 of the AJK Elections Act outlines the process and requirements for political party registration within the region.

The emergence of a new claimant seeking to register a party with the same name as PTI has introduced fresh complexity to the case, as the Election Commission prepares for its scheduled hearing. The situation is being closely watched, given the potential implications for the political landscape in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.