By 
16-12-2024
Markela Ndocaj
Pakistan Researcher,
Global Human Rights Defence.
People in Gilgit, as well as other districts, populated the cities’ streets in a movement aimed at the release of former chairman of the Karakoram National Movement, Mohammad Javed, and other activists who had been deprived of liberty allegedly on false charges. Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) chairman Hafiz Ahsan and Ghulam Abbas have been serving as speakers in the main protests.
The ACC chairman has strongly refused the support of Muhammad Javed’s arrest, who was detained on December 7th from the Karakoram International University (KIU) Road area in Danyor. After obtaining pre-arrest bail and being sent to the Nasirabad police station, he was later transferred to Manawar Jail under judicial remand.
The protesters took to the streets in response to a call of the GB Awami Action Committee (AAC), chanting slogans and holding placards reading messages such as “Free Javed” or “Freedom of Speech” and demanding an immediate end to the alleged victimisation of political workers.
Protesters argue that the victimisation of the political workers who were already struggling for rights to be respected is condemnable, commenting on the elevated registration of cases against political workers under the Anti-Terrorism Act, considered not acceptable.
What can be taken from the protests going on around the Gilgit-Baltistan region is that the growing frustration of people in response to the increasing arrests of both activists and political leaders is continuing to be shown perpetually throughout time. Demonstrators call for freedom of speech and political liberty, as they assure the origin of their action as an upholding of their basic human rights.
“This crackdown on peaceful voices will not be tolerated, and protests will be held across the region”, declared Taaruf Abbas, AAC leader.
Sources and further readings:
Nagri, J., Dawn, ‘Protests in GB over arrests of political workers’, December 16th, 2024. Available at: https://www.dawn.com/news/1878992/protests-in-gb-over-arrest-of-political-workers (Accessed December 16th, 2024).
Nadir, S., VoicePk, ‘GB rights activists announce protests against arrests, repressive laws’, December 14th, 2024. Available at: https://voicepk.net/2024/12/gb-rights-activists-announce-protests-against-arrests-repressive-laws/ (Accessed December 16th, 2024).
Comments