The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has officially announced its decision to boycott the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly elections scheduled for July 27, 2026. The move comes at a time when political tensions continue to rise across the region.
In an official statement, the party spokesperson said PTI will not participate in the election process under the current political conditions. The party clarified that the decision is not based on political gain or loss but is meant to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir and support democratic values.
PTI stated that the current political environment in AJK does not allow for free, fair, and peaceful elections. The party emphasized that it will stay away from the electoral process until an independent, just, and peaceful political atmosphere is restored.
The decision also comes in the backdrop of ongoing protests led by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), which was recently banned by the AJK government under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA). The ban was enforced after violent demonstrations and ahead of the committee’s planned protest against the abolition of reserved seats for refugees from Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
PTI claimed that the region is currently facing a serious political crisis, with thousands of people staging sit-ins in several areas, including Rawalakot. The party urged the government to address the issues of Kashmiris immediately to prevent further instability.
The former ruling party also alleged that food supplies from Punjab to AJK had been blocked, although this claim was strongly denied by both the federal government and AJK police officials.
Alongside the boycott, PTI’s parliamentary board has suspended all recommendations regarding election tickets, confirming that no further progress will be made until further instructions are issued.
This decision could significantly impact the political landscape of AJK ahead of the elections.
