Gilgit: FIRs registered under section 124 of PPC against 9 human rights and political workers
Section 124-A is related to sedition, which states that whoever brings into hatred or contempt the federal and provincial government shall be punished with up to imprisonment for life to which fine may be added.
The people named in the FIR have been accused of raising slogans against the state during a protest demonstration held on the 14th of October 2014 in front of the UNMOGIP office in Jutial area of Gilgit. A large number of protesters had gathered that day to demand freedom of PYF leader Baba Jan and 11 others who have recently been imprisoned for life by an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Gilgit. The protesters had also demanded abolishment of the Ant-Terrorism Act from Gilgit-Baltistan.
The nine people named in the FIR are, Advocate Ahsan Ali, President Supreme Appellate Court Bar Association GB, Israruddin Israr , Coordinator HRCP , STF GB, Muhammad Farooq, Coordinator International Human Rights observer GB, Safdar Ali, Balawaristan National Front, Aziz Ahmed , Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf District Hunza/Nagar, Kalamuddin, Balawaristan National Front, Faizan Mir, GB Students Federation, Javed Rizwan, Progessive Youth Front and Col. (R) Nader Hussain, a nationalist leader GB.
HRCP Coordinator for Gilgit-Baltistan, Israruddin Israr told Pamir Times that the charges leveled against the nine people are fake and bogus. He said that no slogans were raised by the protesters against Pakistan during the protest demonstration. He added that the protest was against political victimization of PYF leader Baba Jan and 11 other political workers belonging to the Hunza Valley.
“We had gathered to demand freedom for Baba Jan and the 11 other political workers, and to demand abolishment of the Anti-Terrorism Act from Gilgit-Baltistan”, Israr said. He added that the ATA is being used for political victimization and so far no terrorist has been punished under the law.
Israr further said that he has contacted the HRCP head office and shared details of the cases with them. He said that the 9 accused will try to get Bail-Before Arrest (BBA).
He also said that the accused will also consider addressing a press conference and informing the public about the issue. He said that efforts will also be made to bring political parties in confidence. “If these moves are not resisted, then tomorrow nobody will be able to rise for their rights”, Israruddin Israr added.
