ISLAMABAD — Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has alleged that several of its senior leaders were prevented from entering Gilgit-Baltistan to participate in election campaign activities, raising concerns about equal political access ahead of the upcoming regional elections.

In a statement shared on social media, PTI claimed that the party’s Central General Secretary Salman Akram Raja, Nadeem Haider Panjotha, Shaukat Basra, Ziauddin Qureshi, and Zahir Abbas were stopped at a checkpoint in Diamer after entering Gilgit-Baltistan and were subsequently asked to leave the region.

The party criticized the move, arguing that leaders of other political parties, including Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif, have been able to visit Gilgit-Baltistan and participate in election campaigns.

PTI questioned why its leaders were allegedly prevented from conducting political activities while leaders from rival parties were allowed to campaign. The party described the situation as a contradiction and expressed concerns about the fairness and transparency of the electoral process.

According to PTI, restricting its leaders’ access to Gilgit-Baltistan could affect the party’s ability to campaign ahead of the elections and engage with voters in the region.

The statement also called for equal treatment of all political parties and urged authorities to ensure a level playing field during the election campaign period.

Election authorities and relevant government officials have not publicly responded to PTI’s allegations. Independent verification of the party’s claims was not immediately available.

The controversy comes amid heightened political activity in Gilgit-Baltistan as major political parties intensify their campaigns ahead of the upcoming elections.

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