Lead

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, including the party's president in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, MNA Junaid Akbar, were expelled from Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) on Friday while campaigning for the region's upcoming general elections, according to multiple reports from Dawn. The PTI initially claimed the leaders had been arrested, but the GB government later stated that no arrests were made and that the expulsions were due to violations of the election code of conduct.

Coverage Comparison

Five reports from Dawn, published over several days, provide a detailed picture of the incident and its aftermath. The initial reports focused on the PTI's allegations of arrest, while later reports clarified that the leaders were expelled rather than formally arrested. A later report also detailed the expulsion of four PTI leaders, including the party's general secretary, from GB on a separate occasion. The GB government's official statement, which denied arrests and cited code of conduct violations, was reported in only one of the five articles, according to the available extracts.

Key Claims

  • The PTI claimed that Junaid Akbar and other party leaders were arrested at a check post while returning from Ghizer district. This claim was made by the party on X and reported by Dawn. (Attributed to PTI claims)
  • The GB government stated that no arrests were made and that the leaders were only expelled over violations of the election code of conduct. This statement was reported by a single Dawn article. (Attributed to GB government)
  • PTI leaders were expelled from Gilgit-Baltistan while local leaders were detained, as reported by Dawn. (Attributed to Dawn)
  • The PTI alleged that the federal government was using tactics to 'steal the election'. This allegation was made by PTI leaders on X and reported by Dawn. (Attributed to PTI)
  • KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi warned that he would personally go to Gilgit-Baltistan if the parliamentarians were not released. This statement was reported by Dawn. (Attributed to CM Afridi)

Perspectives

PTI's Perspective

According to Dawn's reports, PTI leaders claimed they were arrested by the GB government and administration at a check post, then later expelled. They alleged that the federal government was attempting to suppress their election campaign and 'steal the election'. Junaid Akbar questioned why a Pakistani citizen needed a no-objection certificate to travel within the country, calling the actions 'fascist tactics'. PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja described being stopped by police and forcibly escorted out of the province, saying it restricted their constitutional right to free movement and political activity.

GB Government's Perspective

The GB government, as reported in one Dawn article, denied that any arrests were made and stated that the leaders were expelled for violating the election code of conduct. The government's official statement did not provide further details, but it framed the expulsions as a matter of enforcing election rules.

Reactions from Other Officials

Former National Assembly opposition leader Omar Ayub condemned the alleged arrest on X, calling it proof that the government wanted a 'bogus selection' instead of a free and fair election. KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi warned that he would personally go to Gilgit-Baltistan to question the GB government if the parliamentarians were not released, according to Dawn. These reactions, reported by multiple sources, indicate broader political tensions surrounding the incident.