Protests Continue in Hunza as Gilgit-Baltistan Awami Action Committee Demands Release of Detained Leaders

Hunza, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pak administered Kashmir: A protest camp organized by the Gilgit-Baltistan Awami Action Committee (GBAAC) continues for the third consecutive day in Hunza, as part of a growing region-wide movement demanding the immediate release of detained committee leaders. According to The Azadi Times, demonstrations have been ongoing across Gilgit-Baltistan for several days, but the Hunza protest has emerged as a key focal point, drawing attention to the worsening political unrest in the region.

The demonstrators allege that several prominent leaders of the GBAAC have been held in custody for over a month without due legal process. Protesters in Hunza describe the sit-in as a “resistance-based” action, reflecting growing public frustration over what they describe as the political suppression of voices calling for democratic and socio-economic rights within Gilgit-Baltistan.

“We will not back down until our leaders are released,” said one protestor in Hunza. “These arrests are politically motivated, and we are peacefully resisting this injustice.”

In a show of regional solidarity, protests were also reportedly held in Rawalakot, a city in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, where local citizens expressed support for the demands of the Awami Action Committee. Protesters there condemned the continued incarceration of GBAAC leaders and called on Pakistani authorities to respect democratic freedoms and civil rights.

The Gilgit-Baltistan Awami Action Committee has long advocated for constitutional rights, local governance reforms, and economic justice in the region. Observers note that tensions have escalated in recent months following a wave of arrests targeting activists and civil society leaders associated with the movement.

No official statement has yet been issued by the Pakistani government regarding the charges or legal status of the detained leaders, leading to increased criticism from human rights advocates who are calling for transparency and judicial accountability.

“These continued detentions raise serious questions about freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly in Gilgit-Baltistan,” said a rights monitor based in Muzaffarabad.

As the Hunza protest enters its third day, demonstrators vow to continue their peaceful sit-ins until their demands are met. The situation remains tense, and rights organizations are urging authorities to engage in dialogue and resolve the matter through legal and democratic means.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.