PTI Leaders Expelled From GB as Election Campaign Tensions Rise

Political tensions in Gilgit-Baltistan intensified late Friday after several Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders, including the party’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa president Junaid Akbar, were expelled from the region during election campaign activities ahead of the June 7 polls.

The development triggered competing claims from PTI and the Gilgit-Baltistan administration. PTI said Akbar and other party figures were stopped, briefly detained and removed while travelling for campaign-related engagements, while the regional government maintained that the action was taken over alleged violations of the election code of conduct.

According to the party’s account, Akbar was travelling with several lawmakers and political colleagues when they were intercepted by authorities. PTI leaders said the group had been involved in campaign activities linked to the upcoming Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly election and accused the administration of restricting their access to voters.

Akbar and other PTI figures reacted sharply to the move, framing it as an attack on political participation. The party alleged that its leaders were being denied a fair campaign environment and described the episode as political pressure ahead of the polls. PTI also claimed that rival political groups were receiving more favourable treatment during electioneering.

The Gilgit-Baltistan government rejected the allegation of discriminatory treatment. Government spokesperson Shabbir Mir said no arrests had been made and that the leaders were expelled after election monitoring officials pointed out violations of relevant rules. He said all parties and independent candidates were being provided a level playing field and that institutions responsible for the election were performing their constitutional duties.

The controversy comes at a sensitive time for Gilgit-Baltistan, where political parties are preparing for a closely watched election on June 7. Campaign activity in the region has gained national attention because major parties view the vote as a test of their organisational strength and public messaging beyond Pakistan’s mainstream electoral battlegrounds.

PTI has repeatedly argued that it faces restrictions in different parts of the country, while government and administrative officials have generally insisted that actions taken against political workers are based on law, security requirements or electoral rules. The latest Gilgit-Baltistan episode adds another flashpoint to that broader political dispute.

The incident may affect the tone of the remaining campaign, particularly if PTI escalates its protest or seeks legal and administrative remedies. It could also sharpen scrutiny of the election environment, with opposition parties likely to demand clearer guarantees on movement, rallies and access to voters.

For Pakistan’s political landscape, the episode carries significance beyond the region itself. Allegations of pre-poll manipulation and official denials of bias have become a recurring feature of national politics, and developments in Gilgit-Baltistan could influence the wider debate on electoral fairness, political rights and public confidence in democratic processes.

The next steps will depend on whether the Election Commission, regional administration or courts intervene in response to the dispute. With polling day approaching, all sides are expected to intensify their campaign narratives, while authorities will face pressure to ensure that security enforcement and election rules are applied transparently across parties.