MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): President Azad Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday promulgated Elections (Amendment) Ordinance 2026, barring the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) from the elections and also posing a serious question on the future of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) as a political party.
According to the ofdinance, parties banned, dissolved, or prohibited in Pakistan will automatically be considered prohibited in Azad Kashmir.
Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan will be affected by the ordinance issued by the government because the government of Pakistan has imposed a ban on it.
PTI’s future as a political party
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) may also be affected by the ordinance because PTI’s case is ongoing in the Election Commission of Pakistan, and a registration case is also ongoing in the Election Commission of Azad Kashmir.
Under the Interim Constitution of Azad Jammu and Kashmir 1974, the President of the State has issued the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Elections (Amendment) Ordinance 2026 by amending the Elections Act 2020. The ordinance will come into force immediately.
The purpose of the ordinance is to “further improve the electoral system and align it with current circumstances”.
After the amendment, according to the ordinance, it will be easier for refugees to vote. Under the ordinance, refugees from 1989 who have changed their residence from one camp to another or within Azad Kashmir are allowed to register their vote and exercise their right to vote at their new residence.
The Election Commission has been directed to formulate necessary procedures and arrangements to facilitate such individuals. Similarly, regarding changes in electoral rolls, the Election Commission has been empowered to prepare supplementary or updated electoral rolls for the implementation of this clause so that no voter’s right is affected.
After the new amendment regarding political parties, according to the ordinance, if a political party is banned, dissolved, or prohibited in Pakistan, its branches, sub-organizations, or representative units in Azad Kashmir will also automatically be considered prohibited.
According to the government’s stance, this ordinance has been issued due to the assembly not being in session and an immediate legal necessity, so that there is no ambiguity in electoral matters and the system can be made effective.
This ordinance has come into force immediately, and the Election Commission Azad Kashmir will be bound to implement it.
