Gilgit journalist Adnan Rawat arrested under anti-terror laws over social media post

April 1, 2026

Local journalist and vlogger, Adnan Rawat from Gilgit, has been arrested after the registration of a case under anti-terrorism laws over a social media post in which he flagged a list as ‘suspicious’ and urged caution.

Rawat had shared a post on his social media handle on March 30, in which he circulated a list allegedly linked to individuals involved in an incident in the Jutial area of Gilgit. In his post, he described the list as suspicious and advised his audience to exercise caution.

Authorities registered a case on March 30, the same day the post was shared, and subsequently arrested Rawat. The First Information Report (FIR) was lodged on the complaint of the first judicial magistrate Gilgit .

The FIR states that Rawat has been booked under Sections 6 and 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, along with Sections 153-A, 505, 117, and 468 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). The charges include allegations of spreading disorder, incitement, and attempting to mislead investigations and forgery.

According to the FIR, Rawat allegedly shared a ‘fabricated’ list connected to individuals involved in incidents that occurred in Gilgit following the circulation of news regarding the reported martyrdom of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on March 1. The FIR further claims that the list was falsely linked to the Pakistan Army and that it was intended to mislead investigations, protect actual suspects, and divert the course of inquiry.

It also alleges that Rawat attempted to create unrest through his post on social media by disseminating misleading information and associating it with sensitive institutions.

In response to the arrest, human rights activist Baba Jan, while speaking to Voicepk, stated that Rawat had consistently highlighted issues related to Gilgit and raised human rights concerns in the region. He said that voices of human rights defenders and journalists in Gilgit-Baltistan have historically faced suppression, adding that those who speak out are often targeted.

Baba Jan further stated that, in this case, the image shared by Rawat had the word “fake” written on it, yet he was still arrested, describing the action as unjust.

Meanwhile, the Gilgit Union of Journalists has expressed serious concern over the arrest of Rawat and strongly condemned the registration of a case under anti-terrorism provisions against him.
In a statement issued to the media, the union demanded the immediate release of the journalist and the withdrawal of all charges against him.
The union termed the registration of a terrorism case against a journalist and vlogger as an infringement on freedom of expression and described it as an attempt to intimidate and harass members of the press. It said that journalists in Gilgit-Baltistan have consistently demonstrated responsibility, particularly in sensitive situations, despite limited access to official information due to the absence of a Right to Information law in the region.

The union warned that if the government does not change its approach and refrain from taking what it described as retaliatory actions against journalists and vloggers, the broader journalistic community may be compelled to launch protests and adopt a stronger course of action.

Following the reported developments of March 1, protests had taken place in parts of Gilgit and Skardu. The demonstrations reportedly turned violent, during which multiple government and private properties were set on fire, including a United Nations office in Gilgit. According to available information, the unrest resulted in multiple fatalities, with ten deaths reported in Gilgit and seven in Skardu.

Rawat had shared the list in question in connection with these incidents and had expressed suspicion regarding the individuals allegedly involved.

In 2024, Islamabad-based journalist Matiullah Jan was arrested under offences on drug possession and terrorism charges which the Pakistan Federal Union Journalist and the International Federation of the Journalist termed unlawful and an attempt to silence independent journalism in the public interest.