Protesters demand revocation of Anti-Terrorism laws from Gilgit-Baltistan

Gilgit, October 14: Political activists, human rights workers and civil society members staged a protest demonstration today in Gilgit demanding revocation of the Anti-Terrorism laws from the Gilgit-Baltistan region. They said that the Anti-Terrorism Act is being used to suppress political and rights groups in the UN recognized disputed region.

The protesters gathered at the Col Hassan Market and from there converged in front of the office of United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) in Gilgit.

They also demanded freedom for Comrade Baba Jan, the vice president of Awami Workers Party and his companions. They said that that Baba Jan and his eleven other companions are being punished for standing for rights of the people of Ayeenabad, Shishkat and other disaster affected parts of the Gojal Valley, Upper Hunza.

The speakers also said that killers of two IDPs, father and son, have been rewarded instead of being punished for their crimes against the disaster hit people.

A memorandum was also presented to the officials of the UNMOGIP, urging the United Nations to take notice of the situation and ensure justice and freedom for the political prisoners.

The protest was attended by Advocate Ehsan Ali (Awami Action Committee), Safdar Ali (BNF), Israruddin Israr (HRCP), Col (r) Nadir Hassan, Aziz Ahmad (PTI) and representatives from many other groups.