KP CM urges Gilgit-Baltistan’s top court to ensure fair elections

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has written to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Appellate Court of Gilgit-Baltistan, urging immediate judicial intervention to ensure transparency in the upcoming GB elections.

In the letter sent Saturday, the chief minister described the electoral environment in the region as facing an “alarming” deterioration, with one political party being subjected to undue obstacles. He cited reports of harassment, unlawful detentions, and restrictions on the movement and activities of political leaders and workers.

The move follows recent incidents where senior PTI leader Asad Qaiser was prevented from flying to Skardu for the election campaign, and PTI MNA Junaid Akbar was expelled from the region a day earlier.

The chief minister warned that such practices could “severely undermine the credibility and transparency of the electoral process.” He emphasized that the Constitution guarantees every citizen and political party the right to participate in free, fair, and impartial elections.

The letter called on the court to issue clear directions to authorities to end the alleged harassment, restore equal political space for all parties, and take swift action against any violations of constitutional rights during the electoral process for the elections scheduled for June 7.