Gilgit, Pakistan-administered Kashmir Gilgit-Baltistan — July 28, 2025
Police personnel in Gilgit, the administrative center of Pakistan-administered Gilgit-Baltistan, staged a protest on Monday over delays in the issuance of a government notification related to their daily allowances (DA), despite the regional assembly’s formal budget approval.
The protest, held in front of the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, saw dozens of officers expressing frustration over what they described as the government’s inaction. They demanded immediate issuance of the notification and implementation of the promised increase of PKR 840 in their daily allowance.
Officers stated that while the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly had approved the budget including the enhanced allowances the relevant administrative notification had yet to be released, causing significant financial strain for many police families.
Protesters warned of escalating demonstrations if their demands were not met and emphasized that the delay was not just bureaucratic but was affecting livelihoods. “This is not just about allowances — it’s about dignity, fairness, and survival,” said one protester.
Adding to the growing tension, police personnel from other districts of Gilgit-Baltistan reportedly began traveling toward Gilgit in solidarity with the protest.
Regional Parallels: Echoes of Azad Kashmir
This protest comes days after a similar demonstration by police in Pakistan-administered Azad Jammu and Kashmir, where security personnel also voiced demands for better pay and conditions. The timing and shared grievances have drawn attention to a broader pattern of public sector discontent across Pakistan-administered parts of the divided region of Jammu and Kashmir.
Observers note that while these territories are administered separately by Pakistan, the near-simultaneous uprisings highlight the socio-economic pressures faced by public servants on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC), as well as the shared aspirations for justice and dignity among the people of the historically unified region.
Despite the peaceful nature of the protest, the situation remains tense in Gilgit, with demonstrators vowing to continue until their demands are met. So far, there has been no official response from the regional government.
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