MUZAFFARABAD: A former MNA andpolitical coordinator to Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) founder on Saturday declared that the party would vigorously contest upcoming elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and other political challenges with a clear and organised roadmap aimed at addressing public problems.

Speaking at a ‘grand jirga’ organised by district president Syed Azhar Gillani in Rawani village on the outskirts of Muzaffarabad, Amjad Ali Khan Niazi maintained that founder Imran Khan’s struggle was essentially for people’s rights and for transforming Pakistan into a genuine welfare state, adding, the PTI workers were the real strength of the party.

Held on the direction of Imran Khan, the event was attended by former AJK prime minister and PTI regional president Sardar Abdul Qayyum Niazi, regional general secretary Mir Attiqur Rehman, councillors, office-bearers from district, tehsil and city bodies, and a large number of workers.

Mr Amjad Niazi urged unity among party supporters, saying they must mobilise to press for the release of the PTI founder. “If we march, Imran Khan will be freed — let everyone unite and take to the streets to secure his release,” he said.

He vowed that tickets for future elections would be decided in consultation with workers, with no place for parachute candidates or defectors, and expressed confidence that PTI would win a clear majority.

He also praised Sardar Abdul Qayyum Niazi’s loyalty at a time when many prominent figures had defected.

Earlier, taking the rostrum, PTI’s regional president Qayyum Niazi asserted thatImran Khan’s absence was being keenlyfelt not only in Kashmir and Pakistan but across the Muslim world.

He accused conspirators of plunging Pakistan into economic and political turmoil — with runaway inflation and a stalled development agenda — and added that the sensitive region of AJK had been driven towards disorder, where those raising their voices for rights were being booked in cases.

Mr Qayyum Niazi took strong exception to what he alleged was the deliberate creation of hurdles in PTI’s registration in the AJK Election Commission.

“If our party is barred from registration, we will launch a strong protest movement,” he warned.

Published in Dawn, September 14th, 2025