• Says politicians need to fulfil legal requirements before campaigning
• PM briefed on security plan • Punjab sending 6,000 personnel to assist GB police
• PTI warns ‘political engineering’ will yield irreversible consequences

GILGIT / ISLAMABAD: With the upcoming elections in Gilgit-Baltistan fast becoming the subject of recriminations between the government and opposition parties, the territory’s chief election commissioner (CEC) on Sunday vowed to thwart all attempts to influence the electoral environment and spread disorder.

Separately, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday to brief him on preparations and measures undertaken by security agencies to ensure the peaceful conduct of the upcoming GB elections.

According to state-run APP, he informed the PM that a comprehensive security plan had been formulated to maintain law and order and provide a safe environment for voters throughout the electoral process.

PM Shehbaz commended the interior minister and his team for ensuring effective security arrangements for the GB elections and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to continuing all possible measures to support the democratic process.

Meanwhile, more than 6,000 extra police force from Punjab will be sent to assist GB police to maintain law and order during the elections, which are scheduled to be held on June 7. Following the approval of the Punjab government, at least 6,000 police personnel have been placed at the disposal of GB police for election security duty.

‘Effective monitoring’

Speaking at a press conference, GB CEC Raja Shahbaz Khan said that strict implementation of the electoral code of conduct was being ensured, and no violations would be tolerated under any circumstances.

Mr Khan vowed that any attempt to sabotage the electoral process, disturb law and order, or incite unrest will be dealt with impartially and in accordance with the law.

He said that an effective monitoring system has already been put in place to ensure free, fair and transparent polls, adding that monitoring officers had been granted full authority to take immediate action over violations of the code of conduct.

Referring to “certain elements” which he said were attempting to influence the electoral environment and spread disorder through social media and other means, Mr Khan termed these clear violations of the electoral code of conduct and the Pakistan Penal Code, and vowed that legal action will be taken.

He also defended notices issued by monitoring officers to certain political figures and federal ministers regarding violations of the electoral code of conduct, saying that the law applies equally to all.

He clarified that during the election campaign, no candidate will be permitted to hold processions, cause disruption, or engage in activities that disturb public order.

In response to a question, Raja Shahbaz Khan said that Federal Minister Amir Muqam had obtained an NOC prior to his visit to Gilgit-Baltistan, and his activities were in accordance with prevailing laws and regulations.

He also reiterated that it was mandatory for every individual from the federal government or other provinces to fulfill their legal requirements and obtain prior permission before coming to the region.

This seemed to be a reference to criticism from the opposition PTI, which had claimed earlier that its lawmakers were not being allowed to enter GB for campaigning, while government ministers were free to do the same.

PTI warning

Meanwhile, in Mansehra, PTI KP President Junaid Akbar Khan railed against the government for denying him entry to GB last week.

“I am a citizen of Pakistan and have the right to travel anywhere in the country to campaign for my party’s candidates in GB,” he said while speaking at a gathering in Upper Kohistan.

Mr Akbar claimed that his party was not being given a level-playing field, while office-bearers of other political parties were being extended protocol and allowed to move freely.

“The government should avoid creating political chaos in the GB elections and allow people to freely exercise their right to vote and elect a government of their choice in the larger public interest,” Mr Akbar said.

Subsequently, the PTI strongly condemned what it termed “systematic pre-poll rigging”, allegedly being carried out at the behest of the federal government in the upcoming GB elections.

In a statement, the party warned that any attempt at “political engineering” by the government will have dangerous and irreversible consequences.

It also condemned the GB Election Commission for its alleged partisan conduct. In one glaring example, it said, the commission issued a notice to the mother of ex-chief minister of GB Khalid Khursheed, questioning why she had displayed a picture of his son on campaign posters.

Nisar Ahmad Khan in Mansehra also contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, June 1st, 2026