The PTI leader alleges that restrictions on his movement stopped him from reaching Islamabad Airport in time, raising concerns about the fairness of the upcoming Gilgit-Baltistan elections.
PTI Leader Says Road Blockades Caused Missed Flight
Senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Qaiser has alleged that restrictions imposed on his movement prevented him from reaching Islamabad Airport on time, causing him to miss a scheduled flight to Skardu. According to Qaiser, he was due to travel to Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) to participate in his party’s campaign activities ahead of the region’s upcoming elections.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad alongside former senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar and Senator Fauzia Arshad, Qaiser said he encountered multiple road blockades while travelling to the airport.
He explained that he initially assumed the closures were related to security arrangements. However, he later came to believe that the restrictions had been imposed specifically because of his planned visit to Gilgit-Baltistan.
Election Campaigns Intensify Across Gilgit-Baltistan
The development comes at a time when political parties are stepping up their campaign efforts across Gilgit-Baltistan ahead of the June 7 elections. The mountainous region has become the focus of intense political activity, with leaders from major parties visiting voters and holding public gatherings.
Questioning the fairness of the electoral process, Qaiser argued that leaders from other political parties were being allowed to campaign freely while he was allegedly prevented from travelling.
He pointed out that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was actively visiting Gilgit-Baltistan and that Amir Muqam was already present in the region. In contrast, he said, he was unable to even reach the airport to begin his journey.
Concerns Over Electoral Transparency
Qaiser warned that such actions could make the upcoming elections controversial and undermine public confidence in the democratic process.
“If this is how elections are going to be conducted, then there is little purpose in holding them,” he said, expressing concern that all political stakeholders should be given equal opportunities to engage with voters.
The PTI leader also criticised the ruling coalition, claiming that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) were pursuing similar political agendas.
Looking ahead, Qaiser said that a future PTI government would seek to develop Gilgit-Baltistan into a major tourism destination. The region is already known for its breathtaking mountains, glaciers, lakes, and adventure tourism opportunities, attracting thousands of domestic and international visitors each year.
Khokhar Calls for Equal Political Rights
Former senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar also criticised the reported road closures, claiming that hundreds of passengers missed their flights because of the disruptions.
He stressed that every political candidate has the right to campaign freely and participate fully in the electoral process. According to Khokhar, any restrictions that prevent political engagement risk damaging public trust in elections.
He further alleged that if election outcomes were already predetermined, there would be little justification for spending public resources on conducting polls.
Demand for Political Dialogue and Consensus
Beyond the immediate controversy, Khokhar emphasised the need for broader political reconciliation in Pakistan. He argued that meaningful dialogue among political parties remains the only sustainable way to address the country’s political challenges.
Calling for a new national charter agreed upon by all major political forces, he said that consensus-building and political cooperation are essential for democratic stability.
Referring to previous efforts aimed at dialogue, Khokhar noted that the Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Ayeen Pakistan alliance had accepted an offer for negotiations. However, he added that no significant progress had been made during the two months since the proposal was first put forward.
A Growing Debate Ahead of the Elections
The statements by Asad Qaiser and Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar have added a new dimension to the political debate surrounding the Gilgit-Baltistan elections. As campaigning intensifies, questions regarding equal access, political freedoms, and electoral transparency are likely to remain central issues in the lead-up to polling day.
Whether these concerns will influence the broader electoral environment remains to be seen, but they have already become a significant part of the ongoing political discourse surrounding the upcoming vote.
