PTI leader Junaid Akbar arrested in GB campaign

Gilgit-Baltistan Police have confirmed the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Junaid Akbar during an election

Gilgit-Baltistan Police have confirmed the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Junaid Akbar during an election campaign in the region. The arrest has triggered strong political reactions from PTI leadership, which termed the action an attack on democratic freedoms and political rights.

According to police officials, PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Junaid Akbar and several of his associates were taken into custody from the Henzal area during political activities linked to the ongoing election campaign in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Police authorities stated that Junaid Akbar and his companions would be removed from Gilgit-Baltistan after their arrest. However, officials did not immediately provide further details regarding the charges or legal grounds for the action.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar strongly condemned the arrest and called it an attempt to stop the party from taking part in the democratic process. He said Junaid Akbar was actively campaigning for the upcoming elections when he was detained by police.

Speaking to the media in Peshawar, Barrister Gohar criticized the authorities for restricting political activities in the region. He said preventing political leaders from running election campaigns damages democratic values and raises serious concerns about the transparency of the electoral process.

He further stated that denying political space to opposition parties in Gilgit-Baltistan would negatively affect democracy. According to him, stopping candidates and party leaders from reaching voters before the elections is equal to pre-poll rigging.

PTI leaders and workers also expressed anger over the incident and demanded the immediate release of Junaid Akbar and his associates. The party accused authorities of using pressure tactics to weaken PTI’s election campaign in Gilgit-Baltistan.

The arrest comes at a time when political parties have intensified their election activities across Gilgit-Baltistan ahead of the upcoming polls. The development is expected to further increase political tensions in the region.