Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) announced on Thursday that it will boycott the upcoming Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections. The decision matters because it comes amid continuing political unrest and could affect the electoral process. Voters, political parties, and authorities in AJK are directly impacted.
The party said it reached the decision in solidarity with the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. PTI described the move as a principled stance under the current circumstances rather than a political strategy. Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram announced the decision in a statement shared on X. He said the party remained committed to supporting the democratic rights and aspirations of Kashmiris.
The announcement follows heightened tensions across AJK after the government banned the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC). Despite the ban, the group has continued its sit-in protest. JAAC leaders have vowed to maintain the demonstration until their demands are addressed. The ongoing unrest has intensified the political atmosphere ahead of the elections.
PTI maintained that the prevailing situation does not support meaningful participation in the electoral process. The party said its boycott reflects solidarity with the people of the region and their right to self-determination. Election preparations are expected to continue, while political developments in AJK remain under close observation.