Staff report
LAHORE:
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Friday, March 29, expressed grave concern over excessive power outages, disruptions in internet and forced marriages of underage girls in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB).
In the press conference at the HRCP’s Gilgit office, the Commission’s Co-Chair Munizae Jahangir, who was flanked by HRCP Regional Coordinator Israruddin Israr and political leader and climate change activist Baba Jan among others, said that it has become difficult for the people to live a normal life without any power for nearly 22 hours every day.
Munizae Jahangir said, “[The loadshedding] is severely impacting all sectors. The efforts to make Gilgit Baltistan a tourist hub could go waste if power is not restored. This is why the government should urgently put an end to 22-hour loadshedding.”
She added, “[The government] should also ensure provision of internet. It has been a longstanding demand of the people of GB that Internet providers be allowed to operate in this region, and the government should facilitate these services rather than impose a ban on them.”
Baba Jan claimed that the GB government is deliberately refusing to resolve connectivity issues, and that those who raise their voice for access to the Internet are declared enemies of the state. “We are declared RAW agents if we demand uninterrupted power and Internet. Special Communication Organisation (SCO) is a bane,” he added.
“[The government] obtained a stay order to the IHC’s directive to allow telecommunication companies in this region. The government, whether headed by Gulbar Khan, Khalid Khurshid or Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman, all try to appease the establishment. They are afraid to resolve the people’s connectivity problems.”
He held that the gates of justice be opened wide for all people.
The case of Falak Noor
Regarding the abduction and marriage of 13-year-old Falak Noor, Munizae Jahangir demanded that the girl be produced in the court and provided security. She urged the government to take punitive action against the police officers found guilty of misconduct in the case.
“The GB and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments should play their due role and recover the girl safely and securely so that all legal proceedings are carried out as soon as possible,” she emphasized.
She further added that Falak Noor’s father, Sakhi Ahmed, specifically identified the police personnel he holds accountable for mishandling the case. “These officers should be removed from the investigation, and a thorough inquiry should be conducted to determine their involvement.”
Around two months back, Falak Noor disappeared during a routine walk to a madrassa in her hometown of Sultanabad, Gilgit. The girl’s father, Sakhi Ahmed, alleged that she was taken to Mansehra where she was married to her neighbour, Farid Alam. In a video statement uploaded to social media a few days ago, the underage bride claims that she is 16 years old and that she married of her free will. However, her father maintains that Falak Noor was coerced into making the statement, and that she is indeed 13 years of age as per documents available with the family.
Despite filing a report with the police on January 20 as well as the emergence of the girl’s video statement, police have yet to trace the whereabouts of the underage bride till the filing of this report.
In lieu of this case, Munizae Jahangir urged the GB government to clarify its policy for the protection of women and girls.
“The GB government should inculcate a specific law to tackle violence against women, as these incidents are on the rise. The people of GB demand that [the minimum age of marriage] be 18 years as per the UN charters to which Pakistan is a signatory.”
Hostel for special people
HRCP council members also further expressed their concern that a hostel built for differently-abled persons has been converted into an office for the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). She held that the building be immediately vacated and the government restore the hostel for its intended purpose.