ISLAMABAD: As Pakistan braces for its general election on Thursday, millions of citizens in two constitutionally disputed regions, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), find themselves excluded from the electoral process, relegated to mere observers from a distance.
Unlike their counterparts in mainland Pakistan, residents of AJK and GB lack representation in the National Assembly and the Senate, effectively disenfranchising them from participating in the country’s highest legislative bodies. Furthermore, the imminent completion of their representative assemblies’ terms adds to their political disengagement.
The separate election processes in AJK and GB, while ostensibly independent from the central government, are not immune to its influence. The ruling party at the federal level often wields significant control over the electoral dynamics in these regions, leveraging financial, administrative, and logistical support to sway outcomes in its favor. Consequently, the electoral landscape in AJK and GB often mirrors the political currents at the national level, raising concerns about the genuine implementation of democratic principles.
Efforts to synchronize the election schedules of GB with the federal government have encountered resistance, highlighting the complexities of aligning regional and national interests. Additionally, recent regime changes in both AJK and GB following shifts in the central government underscore the interplay between local and national politics.
In AJK, the election of Chaudhry Anwarul Haq as Prime Minister amidst internal party divisions exemplifies the intricate power dynamics at play. Similarly, GB witnessed a complete government overhaul, with Haji Gulbar Khan assuming the role of Chief Minister after the disqualification of his predecessor.
For the people of GB, who have long been denied voting rights in national elections despite their historical ties to Pakistan, the upcoming general election serves as a poignant reminder of their political marginalization. Despite efforts to empower GB with provincial-like status, the exclusion from national electoral processes remains a contentious issue among residents.
The lack of voting rights in national elections has fueled frustration and a sense of disillusionment among GB residents, who express a strong desire for greater political engagement and representation. With the latest polls injecting new energy into the political landscape, GB residents eagerly await the outcomes, despite being relegated to the role of spectators.
The absence of general elections in GB further exacerbates sentiments of discrimination, reinforcing the region’s status as a marginalized entity within Pakistan. Nationalist leaders decry this as evidence of systemic bias, emphasizing the need for equitable treatment and recognition of GB’s political aspirations.
As Pakistan embarks on its electoral journey, the exclusion of AJK and GB from the democratic process underscores broader questions of representation and inclusion within the country’s political framework. For the millions residing in these regions, the hope for meaningful participation in shaping their future remains elusive as they watch from afar, their voices silenced by constitutional constraints.
Change in AJK:
Following developments at the center, in April 2023, Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, who had served as the Legislative Assembly’s speaker since August 2021, ascended unopposed to the position of leader of the house (Prime Minister). This election followed his formation of a 12-member ‘forward bloc’ within the PTI and an alliance with the 19-member combined opposition, comprising lawmakers from PPP and PML-N.
Despite the appearance of consensus, behind-the-scenes negotiations and political maneuvering played a significant role in the election process. The Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly’s decision to elect a new Prime Minister stemmed from the disqualification of Tanvir Ilyas for contempt of court. With the PTI holding a comfortable majority of 31 members in the 52-seat assembly, it might have been expected for the party chairman, Imran Khan, to assert control over the election process. However, internal divisions within the PTI ranks in AJK complicated matters, leading to multiple adjournments of the assembly session as neither the government nor the opposition could agree on a nominee for the Prime Minister’s post.
Regime Change in GB:
In July 2023, following a shift in the federal government, Gilgit-Baltistan witnessed a change in leadership. Haji Gulbar Khan, formerly an estranged member of the PTI, assumed the role of Chief Minister for the region.
This change followed the disqualification of PTI’s Khalid Khurshid Khan from the chief ministerial position due to a fake degree scandal earlier that month. The fallout resulted in a complete overhaul of the government in GB. The new government includes representatives of political parties aligned under the umbrella of the PDM at the federal level, while the majority of PTI members and others found themselves relegated to the opposition benches in the GB Assembly.
Last General Election in GB in 2020:
The 2020 elections in Gilgit-Baltistan saw voting take place across 24 constituencies, each responsible for electing one member to the 3rd Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly. A total of 330 candidates contested these elections, representing various political parties of Gilgit-Baltistan or running independently.
Originally scheduled for August 18, 2020, the elections faced postponement in July of that year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly impacted Gilgit-Baltistan and necessitated the delay in the electoral process.
Last Election in AJK 2021:
The general elections in Azad Kashmir took place on July 25, 2021, following the completion of the 5-year term of the previous Legislative Assembly. These elections were conducted across 33 constituencies of Azad Kashmir and 12 constituencies representing refugees from Jammu and Kashmir in Pakistan.
In the latest election results, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) secured 26 seats, while the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) won 11 seats and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) secured 6 seats. Additionally, the AJ&K Muslim Conference (MC) and JK PPP each won one seat.
With these outcomes, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf emerged with a comfortable majority, controlling 26 general seats and 6 reserved/technocrat seats, resulting in a total of 32 seats out of the 53 in the assembly.
