RAWALPINDI/GILGIT (MNN); Around 6,000 Punjab police personnel are being deployed in Gilgit-Baltistan ahead of the June 7 elections, according to official documents that surfaced on Sunday, as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf renewed allegations of widespread pre-poll rigging and political interference in the electoral process.
According to official memos, Punjab authorities initially approved the deployment of 5,000 police personnel to assist Gilgit-Baltistan police with election security arrangements. A subsequent notification authorised the deployment of an additional 1,000 personnel, bringing the total to 6,000.
The documents issued by the Punjab Assistant Inspector General (Operations) stated that the police personnel would be deployed specifically for election security duties. They would also be equipped with anti-riot gear, while buses transporting them to Gilgit-Baltistan would be escorted by armed police officials.
The memo further directed the motor transport department to arrange buses in proper working condition with valid fitness certificates. Drivers selected for the journey were instructed to be experienced and familiar with the mountainous terrain leading to Gilgit-Baltistan.
Meanwhile, PTI strongly criticised the deployment, alleging that “systematic pre-poll rigging” was underway ahead of the June 7 vote.
In a statement, PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram accused the federal government of engineering the electoral process and using state resources to influence the outcome before polling day.
He alleged that government institutions were being used to suppress opposition voices and create hurdles for PTI candidates and campaigners in the region.
The party also criticised the role of the Gilgit-Baltistan Election Commission, alleging selective action against PTI leaders and their families.
PTI claimed that the commission issued notices over campaign posters featuring former Gilgit-Baltistan chief minister Khalid Khursheed, while at the same time ignoring alleged violations by ruling party leaders.
The party further alleged that candidates were pressured to abandon PTI and contest elections on tickets backed by the government.
PTI also accused senior leaders of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (N), including Kashmir Affairs Minister Amir Muqam and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, of remaining active in the region to influence the local administration and election campaign.
At the same time, PTI leaders said their own workers and parliamentarians were being prevented from entering Gilgit-Baltistan.
The political tensions have escalated in recent days.
On Friday, several PTI leaders, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa PTI president Junaid Akbar, were expelled from Gilgit-Baltistan while campaigning. PTI claimed they were briefly detained before being removed, though the Gilgit-Baltistan government denied making arrests and said the leaders were expelled only for violating the election code of conduct.
A day later, senior PTI leader Asad Qaiser said he was unable to reach Islamabad airport for a flight to Skardu after routes leading to the airport were blocked, forcing him to miss his planned campaign visit.
Videos shared by Qaiser showed long queues of vehicles outside the airport entrance. He also released footage showing him speaking to individuals he identified as Punjab police personnel and urging them to allow passengers to proceed.
Amid the controversy, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi wrote to the Chief Judge of the Gilgit-Baltistan Supreme Appellate Court expressing concern over reports that PTI workers and leaders were facing restrictions, harassment and barriers to political campaigning.
With polling day approaching, concerns over the electoral environment in Gilgit-Baltistan continue to grow, with several political parties raising questions over campaign restrictions, detentions, access issues and the fairness of the process.
