Election Commission Approves Sharif’s Visit to Gilgit-Baltistan
The Election Commission has granted a no-objection certificate (NOC) for Nawaz Sharif, president of the Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N), to visit Gilgit-Baltistan for election campaign activities. The former prime minister is scheduled to arrive in the region on June 2 as part of the party’s election drive.
The Chief Election Commissioner of Gilgit-Baltistan has formally approved the visit, subject to strict compliance with the election code of conduct. Authorities warned that any violation could result in legal action.
This permission follows a request submitted by the PML-N, enabling Sharif to participate in campaign activities ahead of the upcoming elections in Gilgit-Baltistan.
The incident occurred days after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) alleged that its Khyber Pakhtunkhwa president and National Assembly member Junaid Akbar was arrested and expelled from Gilgit-Baltistan while campaigning for the June 7 elections. PTI claimed Akbar and several party leaders were detained at a checkpoint and removed from the region.
However, Gilgit-Baltistan authorities maintained that no formal arrests were made and said the action was taken over alleged violations of the election code of conduct. The incident sparked political controversy with PTI accusing authorities of restricting opposition campaigning ahead of the polls.