In a major political move, former Prime Minister of Pakistan and leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan has announced that it will boycott the upcoming Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) Assembly elections. The party said it will not take part in the electoral process because it believes the current political environment does not allow for free, fair and peaceful elections.
The announcement is expected to have a significant impact on the credibility of the upcoming polls in the region.
Party Suspends Election Preparations
Following the boycott decision, PTI has stopped all election-related activities. The party has suspended the distribution of election tickets and cancelled the recommendations made by its parliamentary board for the PoK elections.
It has also put all campaign activities, public meetings and the issuance of party tickets on hold until further notice, effectively bringing its election preparations to a complete standstill.
PTI Demands Review of Election Schedule
The party said its decision is based on what it described as the lack of a fair and transparent electoral atmosphere. PTI leaders argued that participating in the elections under the current conditions would not reflect the true choice of the people.
According to the party, a full review of the existing election schedule is necessary before it can consider returning to the electoral process.
Calls for Political Dialogue
Although PTI has decided to stay away from the elections, it said it remains committed to addressing political issues in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The party urged the authorities to pause the current election process and resolve the region’s political concerns through dialogue, mutual understanding and agreement among institutions and political stakeholders.
Says Struggle for Democratic Rights Will Continue
PTI made it clear that its boycott does not mean it is abandoning its political objectives. The party said it will continue its campaign for what it described as the democratic and constitutional rights of the people of Kashmir, even outside the legislative assembly.
The decision marks a major political development ahead of the PoK elections and is likely to intensify debate over the fairness and legitimacy of the electoral process in the region.
First published on: Jul 03, 2026 08:33 AM IST
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