•Party terms decision unconstitutional, vows to challenge move in higher judiciary
•EC justifies decision, citing violations of rules relating to financial accounts and failure to fulfil legal requirements

MUZAFFARABAD: In a much-anticipated move, the Election Commission of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Saturday rejected the registration application of the regional chapter of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), citing violations of election rules relating to the party’s financial accounts.

The opposition party termed the move “unconstitutional and undemocratic” and announced an immediate legal challenge before the higher judiciary.

In a press release, the election commission said PTI had sought registration in light of the Oct 5, 2023 judgment of the AJK High Court in a case, “Waheed Ashraf and others versus Election Commission and others.”

The commission said that, in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations, it had appointed an audit officer to scrutinise the accounts and financial documents submitted by the party. The audit officer, it said, identified violations of Rule 121 of the Election Rules relating to financial affairs and accounting details furnished by PTI.

The matter was referred back to the audit officer for reconsideration at PTI’s request, but after fresh scrutiny the officer maintained his objections and reaffirmed that Rule 121 had been violated.

The commission said PTI representatives and their counsel were subsequently given a full opportunity of personal hearing. However, after reviewing the arguments and available record, it concluded that the party had failed to fulfil the requirements of Rule 121.

“On the basis of violations of the rules and failure to meet legal requirements relating to accounts, the Election Commission has decided to reject the registration application of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf,” the statement said.

The commission reiterated that registration and oversight of all political parties were carried out in accordance with the Constitution and law, on the principles of transparency and equality.

Reacting to the decision, PTI AJK President and former prime minister Sardar Abdul Qayyum Niazi said the ruling was against “all basic principles of justice” and alleged that democracy had been undermined through an unconstitutional step.

He claimed the election commission had “played this game” to keep PTI out of the electoral process, adding the decision had rendered the upcoming elections controversial.

“We assure PTI workers, supporters of Imran Khan and the public that we will contest the elections at all costs and will not be intimidated by such petty tactics. We will enter the field with Imran Khan’s ideology and image,” he said.

Referring to the Feb 8, 2024 general elections in Pakistan, Mr Niazi said PTI supporters had delivered a “surprise” then and would produce a “surprise plus” in the forthcoming AJK elections as well.

He said PTI would continue its election preparations vigorously and interviews of candidates would be held according to schedule.

“We will fight both a constitutional and legal battle and also go to the court of public opinion,” he added.

Mr Niazi said the election commission’s decision could not dampen the morale of “Imran Khan’s tigers.”

“Even if we are forced to contest elections on symbols like potato, brinjal, carrot or radish, we will do so and surprise our opponents with unexpected results,” he said.

The former premier alleged that the same “game” played in Pakistan had now been initiated in the “most sensitive region” as well.

“Will such elections have any credibility? Will they have any constitutional justification? Is there any such example in the past?” he asked, adding excluding any political party from the electoral process amounted to making the elections controversial.

He expressed hope that the higher judiciary would provide justice and remove the hurdles created in the way of PTI’s registration.

Published in Dawn, May 17th, 2026