PTI announces boycott of AJK elections

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf on Thursday said it would not take part in the upcoming Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly elections under the existing conditions, describing the move as a principled stance in support of the people of Kashmir rather than an electoral tactic.

The decision was announced in a statement issued after a meeting of the party’s core committee, which expressed concern over what it called a worsening political and humanitarian situation in AJK. The statement said sit-ins were continuing in Rawalakot and other areas in support of public demands, while the use of force had led to loss of life.

PTI said disruption in the supply of food and other essential goods had added to the difficulties faced by residents. It further said AJK’s constitutional, democratic and political identity was being weakened. According to the party, action against political workers, arrests, restrictions on freedom of expression and curbs on the media had created circumstances in which the electoral process no longer retained transparency and credibility.

The party called for issues linked to the now-proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee to be settled through dialogue and mutual understanding, and urged the authorities to address its demands fairly. PTI also sought a review of the election schedule and asked that all political parties be given a free, fair and peaceful environment for contesting the polls.

The statement said PTI would remain away from the election process until normal conditions were restored in the region. It also said the party’s parliamentary board had immediately suspended all recommendations regarding party tickets, and that issuance of tickets to prospective candidates had been put off until further notice.

Registration case in AJK Supreme Court

In a separate development, the AJK Supreme Court deferred hearing on an application filed by the Election Commission seeking ex parte ad interim relief against a high court order that had directed PTI’s provisional registration.

A full bench comprising Chief Justice Raja Saeed Akram, Justice Raza Ali Khan and Justice Khalid Yousaf Chaudhary ruled that the commission’s application would be taken up together with its petition for leave to appeal after the appeal completes scrutiny at the Supreme Court registry. The court, however, did not set a date for the hearing.

The apex court decided that the interim application would be heard along with the main petition for leave to appeal once the scrutiny process is completed. With the AJK Supreme Court due to begin its summer recess on Monday, continuing until October 7, the matter is now unlikely to be taken up before the July 27 general elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.