ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Qaiser on Saturday alleged that authorities prevented him from reaching Islamabad International Airport, causing him to miss a scheduled flight to Skardu where he was due to participate in election campaign activities ahead of the Gilgit-Baltistan polls.

Qaiser, who also serves as secretary general of Tehreek-i-Tahafuz-i-Ayin-i-Pakistan (TTAP), claimed that Punjab police blocked access routes leading to the airport and did not allow him to enter the premises before his flight departed.

In a statement posted on social media platform X, Qaiser alleged that he was effectively detained until the flight had taken off. He said the restrictions not only affected his travel plans but also caused inconvenience to other passengers attempting to reach the airport.

The PTI leader described the incident as an attempt to obstruct political activity ahead of the Gilgit-Baltistan elections scheduled for June 7. He alleged that efforts were being made to influence the electoral process and restrict his party’s election campaign in the region.

The development comes a day after PTI lawmaker Junaid Akbar and members of his team were reportedly expelled from Gilgit-Baltistan while campaigning for the upcoming elections.

Despite the alleged restrictions, Qaiser said he would continue participating in the election campaign and expressed confidence that voters in Gilgit-Baltistan would exercise their democratic right freely.

Videos shared by Qaiser on social media showed a long queue of vehicles near the airport’s entry gate. In another video, he was seen speaking with individuals he identified as Punjab police officials and urging them to allow other passengers to proceed.