December 14, 2024
By Sher Nadir
GILGIT
The Awami Action Committee (AAC) of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) has announced region-wide protests against the arrests of political workers under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), and the alleged misuse of Schedule 4 to restrict freedom of movement. The AAC held a meeting at a local hotel in Gilgit, which was attended by representatives of various political parties, and following which AAC Chairman Ihsan Ali accused the authorities of implementing anti-people policies.
“Colonial policies are being enacted to target political workers, especially AAC activists. Small business owners are being harassed, and our leader, Muhammad Javed, was unlawfully arrested. Dozens of others face cases under the ATA and have been placed on Schedule 4,” Ehsan Ali has claimed.
The AAC has strongly condemned the arrest of Muhammad Javed, who was detained on December 7 from the Karakoram International University (KIU) Road area in Danyor. Despite obtaining pre-arrest bail, he was sent to the Nasirabad police station and later transferred to Manawar Jail under judicial remand. Javed’s arrest sparked protests by the AAC, which is calling for his unconditional release.
Ehsan Ali himself was arrested on December 9 in Rawalpindi while en route to Islamabad for an event. He was taken to the Waris Khan police station but released three hours later after interrogation. The AAC claims these arrests are part of a broader strategy to silence dissent and curb peaceful activism.
Speaking to Voicepk.net, AAC leader Taaruf Abbas stated that anyone in GB who speaks about fundamental political rights, environmental protection, or human rights is falsely accused and imprisoned.
“This crackdown on peaceful voices will not be tolerated, and protests will be held across the region,” he declared.