GILGIT: A storm of protest swept across the peaceful valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan on Thursday, as people took to the streets after the arrest of five prominent leaders of the Gilgit-Baltistan Awami Action Committee (AAC), reported by Dawn News. Among those detained was Ehsan Ali Advocate, the chairman of the committee, known for his firm stand on regional rights and justice.
The arrests came just days before a Grand Jirga scheduled for May 26, where local leaders were expected to discuss the long-standing issues of natural resource ownership, constitutional rights, and political representation. Protesters believe the arrests are a deliberate attempt to silence dissent and halt the growing movement demanding self-determination and rightful ownership of their land.
Demonstrations echoed through the towns of Gilgit, Hunza, and Skardu, where hundreds gathered, chanting slogans for freedom and justice. In Aliabad, along the mighty Karakoram Highway, protestors raised banners, denouncing the arrests and calling them unjust. “You cannot arrest the voice of a nation,” said a young protestor. “Kashmir cannot be labeled anti-state — we are neither Pakistan nor India. We are a disputed land, still waiting for the UN to fulfill its promise.”
This reaction comes in the backdrop of renewed tension between Pakistan and India over the Kashmir issue, and a growing cry for attention to the UN resolutions which clearly define Kashmir, including Gilgit-Baltistan, as a disputed region. Locals argue that punishing political activists under anti-terrorism laws contradicts international norms and the region’s unique status.
The socio-economic conditions in Gilgit-Baltistan further fuel the unrest. Despite its rich natural beauty and mineral wealth, the region struggles with poor infrastructure, high unemployment, and limited educational opportunities. Youth feel forgotten, their futures trapped between political uncertainty and economic hardship.
A police source said the arrests were linked to alleged hate speech and “anti-state” activities, though the First Information Report (FIR) remains undisclosed. The accused have been sent on a 14-day physical remand.
As mountains echo with slogans and valleys tremble with unrest, one message rises like a tide: the people of Gilgit-Baltistan are not ready to be silenced. Their call for justice, autonomy, and dignity grows louder with every passing day.
