In a bold stand, a large-scale protest broke out in Skardu’s Yadgar area on Monday, led by the Awami Action Committee (AAC). The protest condemned the recent arrest of political activists, including prominent leader Muhammad Javed and political worker Ali Taj, which is a blatant attempt by the Pak Army to suppress dissent and quash any form of political opposition in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit Baltistan (PoGB).
The protesters voiced their strong opposition to the unjustified arrests and the filing of FIRs against political dissidents. They called for the immediate abolition of the controversial Fourth Schedule and Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) that the Paki establishment uses as tools of repression. Both laws have become synonymous with the suppression of civil liberties, particularly in regions like PoGB, where the Army routinely uses these laws to target individuals based on politically motivated charges rather than actual criminal behavior.
The Fourth Schedule allows the occupying-government to label political opponents as terrorists, enabling them to be detained without proper legal justification. Similarly, the ATA, introduced in 1997, has morphed from a counter-terrorism tool into a mechanism to stifle political activism and curtail basic freedoms. These laws have become a favorite of the Pak military, who employ them as instruments to enforce their authoritarian grip over regions like POGB, where they fear any form of dissent could inspire calls for autonomy or independence.
Protesters in Skardu expressed their outrage over the ever-growing climate of fear and repression in PoGB. This protest follows a similar demonstration in Hunza, where political activists gathered outside the Hunza Press Club to demand the release of Muhammad Javed, former chairman of the Karakoram National Movement, and other detained political figures. The protesters, holding placards that read “Free Javed” and “Freedom of Speech,” called for the restoration of fundamental rights, including the right to political participation and free expression.
The catalyst for the recent arrests was an FIR filed by customs officials in Hunza, accusing over 88 individuals, including Javed, of involvement in the illegal transportation of goods from China. The charges also included allegations of assaulting customs officers and obstructing roads, as well as delivering provocative speeches that allegedly incited unrest. However, the arrested activists and their supporters firmly reject these accusations, asserting that their actions were rooted in political dissent and not criminality. They argue that their real crime is speaking out against the occupation of their land by Pak Army that views them as nothing more than subjects to be controlled and silenced.