MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Thursday announced the boycott of the upcoming general elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) scheduled for July 27, saying that the party will not be a part of the electoral process.
“We stand with the people of AJK and will not be a part of the electoral process in the current circumstances,” the party spokesperson said in a press release.
The opposition party has also suspended all recommendations made by the AJK Parliamentary Board regarding the distribution of tickets to candidates with immediate effect.
The party has alleged that the boycott of the election is not a political strategy, but an “expression of solidarity and principled stance” with the Kashmiri people.
Referring to the protest staged by the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), the party said that the “current steps are undermining the constitutional, democratic, and political identity of Azad Jammu and Kashmir” and creating an environment that is leading to the erasure of the fundamental differences between Azad Kashmir and occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
“Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf will not engage in power politics by ignoring the voice of the Kashmiri people,” the statement added.
It added that the priority of the party is to support the fundamental rights of the Kashmiri people, their democratic demands, and a political process based on justice.
“PTI will not participate in the elections until the situation returns to normal, the concerns of all political and public forces are addressed, the issues of the Awami Action Committee are resolved amicably, the election schedule is reviewed and a truly equal and free electoral environment is provided to all political parties,” it stated.
“In view of the current extraordinary circumstances, no further progress will be made at any stage related to the issuance of tickets or the electoral process, and all these matters will remain postponed until the situation returns to normal, the restoration of the political environment, and the party’s further decision,” the party said.
In addition that, it clarified that this decision has not been taken based on any political gain or loss, but rather as a “sign of solidarity with the Kashmiri people, respect for democratic values, and the demands of principled politics”.
“Until a free, fair, and peaceful political environment is provided for the Kashmiri people, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf will not be a part of this electoral process,” the statement concluded.
