Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Junaid Akbar Khan was detained by authorities in Gilgit-Baltistan while participating in election campaign activities ahead of the region’s upcoming polls.
According to reports, Gilgit-Baltistan Police took Junaid Akbar into custody in Hunza during a campaign visit. The incident occurred as political parties intensified their outreach efforts ahead of the elections in the strategically important region.
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Speaking after the detention, Junaid Akbar said officials informed him that he did not possess the required no-objection certificate (NOC) for his activities in the area. He claimed authorities directed him to leave Gilgit-Baltistan, leading to his temporary detention.
The development sparked a strong reaction from PTI leadership, which accused authorities of creating obstacles for opposition parties during the election campaign. Party officials argued that political leaders should be allowed to engage with voters without unnecessary restrictions.
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan condemned the detention, describing it as an attempt to influence the electoral process before polling takes place. He termed the incident “pre-poll rigging” and expressed concern over what he called efforts to limit political participation in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Barrister Gohar said democratic principles require that all political parties receive equal opportunities to campaign and present their policies to voters. He warned that restricting political activity could undermine public confidence in the electoral process and weaken democratic institutions.
The PTI chairman also called on the Election Commission of Pakistan to ensure a level playing field for all political stakeholders and to safeguard the rights of parties participating in the elections.
The incident comes at a crucial stage of the election campaign, with political parties seeking to mobilize support across Gilgit-Baltistan. The region’s elections are being closely watched due to their political significance and potential impact on the broader national political landscape.
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No detailed official statement from local authorities regarding the detention had been released at the time of reporting, while PTI leaders continued to criticize the move and demand assurances for unrestricted political campaigning.