Four senior leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf were expelled from Gilgit-Baltistan on Tuesday, days before the region’s general elections. The party alleged it was being denied a level playing field and prevented from campaigning. The development has intensified political tensions ahead of the June 7 vote.
According to PTI, Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, along with Shaukat Basra, Naeem Panjutha, and Zaheer Babar, was stopped by police after entering the region by road. Raja claimed police intercepted the group near Jal Police Station in Diamer district and prevented them from proceeding further. He alleged that officers escorted them out of the province under official orders.
Read more: PTI leaders expelled from GB amid electioneering
Raja described the action as a violation of constitutional rights and political freedoms. He said PTI leaders had chosen to travel by road after party figures, including Asad Qaiser and Junaid Akbar, reportedly faced restrictions on entering the region. Raja further claimed police accompanied the group until they reached Babusar Top before turning back.
آج مجھے شوکت بسرا، نعیم پنجوتھہ اور ظہیر بابر کو گلگت بلتستان داخل ہوتے ہی جل تھانہ کی حدود میں آگے جانے سے روک دیا گیا۔ میرا نام ڈی آیس پی کے پاس درج تھا۔ ہمیں اور آئی ایس ایف کے آئے دوستوں کو پولیس کی گاڑیوں کے نرغے میں صوبہ بدر کر دیا گیا ہے۔ عمران خان اور آزادی _ قوم کا فیصلہ pic.twitter.com/CDSXrcr1Gd
— salman akram raja (@salmanAraja) June 2, 2026
Meanwhile, PTI leaders accused authorities of targeting party workers and local supporters. Shaukat Basra alleged that local leaders and members of the Insaf Student Federation were detained after arriving to welcome the visiting delegation. PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram compared the incident to restrictions the party said it faced during Pakistan’s 2024 general elections.
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The controversy unfolded as major political figures campaigned across Gilgit-Baltistan ahead of the elections. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari called for greater constitutional rights for the region, while Nawaz Sharif pledged development initiatives, including the expansion of Gilgit’s airport. Gilgit-Baltistan’s elections are scheduled for June 7 after being delayed by four months due to harsh winter conditions.