MUZAFFARABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General Salman Akram Raja on Wednesday appointed Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry as his legal adviser, tasking him with overseeing the party’s legal and registration-related matters in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

According to a notification issued by Mr Raja, Mr Chaudhry will examine all issues pertaining to the party’s legal affairs, including its registration with the AJK Election Commission, and submit his findings to the party’s central leadership. He will also represent the PTI secretary general before the Election Commission in matters relating to the party’s legal status and documentation.

The notification directed the PTI AJK leadership and office-bearers to extend full cooperation to Mr Chaudhry in the discharge of his responsibilities.

The development comes amid PTI concerns over the alleged machinations against its registration by the AJK Election Commission.

On Monday, a Muzaffarabad resident, named Sheraz Khan, submitted an application in the Election Commission seeking registration of a party under the name “PTI,” claiming it had been founded by Akbar S. Babar, who had authorised him to apply.

The PTI leadership dismissed the application as “ghost” paperwork aimed at depriving the party of its legitimate rights, noting that the applicant was a former public relations officer in the Raja Farooq Haider-led PML-N government.

“Our party has previously contested elections in AJK and is fulfilling all legal formalities. Since the chief election commissioner has now been appointed, we see no impediment to the grant of registration and are confident it will be approved once the commission reviews the matter,” said PTI regional secretary general Mir Attiqur Rehman.

Separately, PTI regional secretary information Azhar Gillani shared a party notification dated Sept 3, 2011, issued by then Secretary General Dr Arif Alvi, which mentioned the expulsion of Mr Babar on the recommendation of the Core Committee for conspiring against the party.

“Despite all efforts to undermine us, the party’s popularity remains intact. Conspiracies are now being used as a last resort to push PTI out of the political arena,” Mr Gillani said.

“Our leadership believes in the rule of law, and we are confident the Election Commission will act in accordance with the law, ensuring our full freedom to participate in the upcoming elections.”

The PTI application for registration was scheduled for review on Wednesday, but the chief election commissioner deferred the matter after Eid holidays.

Published in Dawn, March 23th, 2026