Gilgit (Shakeel Ahmed): In a disturbing development in Gilgit Baltistan, also known as Pakistan-administered Kashmir, the suspension of crucial funding has placed the lives of hundreds of vulnerable patients in jeopardy.

The provincial government, despite allocating an impressive 86 billion rupees in its non-developmental budget, has failed to release a modest 25 crore rupees for the Health Endowment Fund. This shortfall has left over 500 patients with life-threatening conditions facing an uncertain future.

The Health Endowment Fund, which plays a vital role in providing financial assistance for the treatment of life-threatening diseases, has been suspended since mid-February 2025. As a result, 442 patients who were already receiving ongoing treatment, along with 50 new patients, now find themselves unable to afford the necessary medical care to survive.

The Health Department of Gilgit-Baltistan is grappling with an alarming situation. While the provincial government can allocate almost 10 billion rupees for non-developmental expenses, it appears unable to allocate a mere 65 crore rupees annually for the treatment of critical patients suffering from conditions such as cancer, liver and kidney failure, and heart diseases.

According to sources, the lack of funding for the Health Endowment Fund has directly impacted the treatment of over 500 patients, including six waiting for liver transplants, 40 awaiting kidney transplants, 383 suffering from cancer, and 40 individuals battling severe heart conditions. Without the necessary funding, these patients are at risk of losing their lives due to the absence of medical intervention.

Over the past four years, the Health Endowment Fund has saved the lives of over 1,286 patients, with total expenditures surpassing 86 crore rupees. This fund has enabled life-saving procedures like liver transplants (costing up to 6 million rupees per patient), kidney transplants (5 million rupees per patient), bone marrow transplants (3.5 million rupees per patient), cancer treatment (over 2 million rupees per patient), and heart disease treatment (1 million rupees or more per patient).

However, the recent halt in funding has left patients and their families devastated, with many expressing deep frustration and hopelessness. These patients, who once had the faint hope of receiving life-saving treatment, now face a grim reality due to the government’s inability to allocate the necessary funds for essential medical services.

The suspension of the Health Endowment Fund highlights a glaring disparity in priorities. Despite the region’s financial resources being directed towards non-essential areas, the lives of countless patients are being put at risk due to the lack of adequate healthcare funding.

Gilgit-Baltistan, a region rich in natural beauty and strategic significance, deserves more attention from the international community. This crisis serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for better healthcare infrastructure and the prioritization of health over political and economic interests.

The residents of Gilgit-Baltistan are calling for urgent intervention and the immediate release of the necessary funds to save lives and ensure the health and safety of the most vulnerable members of society. Without swift action, hundreds of patients may face irreversible consequences. The international community and human rights organizations are urged to take note of the plight of the people in this region and offer their support in ensuring that the basic right to life and healthcare is upheld.

End of Report

This tragic situation serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of international solidarity and support for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, who continue to face immense challenges in the absence of adequate healthcare provision.

Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir: Police in Pakistan-administered Azad Kashmir have arrested two suspects from Punjab province accused of blackmailing women through a fraudulent gaming app, exposing gaps in regional cybercrime laws and raising alarms over rising digital exploitation in conflict-affected areas.

Key Details of the Case:

The suspects, identified as residents of Lahore and Rawalpindi, allegedly lured women on a gaming app offering live streaming and rewards. Victims were promised “queen” status and convertible in-game dollars, only to be trapped into sharing personal details like phone numbers and WhatsApp accounts. Investigators said the perpetrators hacked these accounts, stole sensitive data, and blackmailed victims including two women from Muzaffarabad who later attempted suicide.

“This syndicate preys on vulnerable women, manipulates them emotionally, and weaponizes their private information,” said Muhammad Ashiq, the investigating officer at Muzaffarabad’s Saddar Police Station.

Legal Challenges and Police Action:

Azad Kashmir lacks a dedicated cybercrime law, forcing authorities to rely on sections of the Social Media Act (Sections 489-F, 489-S, 419, and 420) and Pakistan Penal Code (Section 171 for impersonation). Despite victims initially reporting the crimes to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) four months ago, their complaints were dismissed until local police intervened.

Using technical surveillance and mobile call data records (CDRs), officers tracked the suspects to Rawalpindi and arrested them within three days. However, critical evidence was erased remotely from their devices via Gmail accounts, complicating efforts to identify other victims. The phones have now been sent for forensic analysis.

Broader Syndicate Concerns:

SHO Wajahat Kazmi confirmed the arrested men are part of a larger interstate gang targeting women across Pakistan. “These criminals are tech-savvy and ruthless. They pose as officials to gain trust before striking,” he warned, urging the public to avoid unverified apps and links.

Victims’ Plight and Systemic Failures:

The two Muzaffarabad victims, whose identities remain protected, faced relentless harassment after their WhatsApp accounts were hijacked. “The trauma drove them to the brink of suicide,” Ashiq revealed, criticizing the FIA’s initial inaction.

Regional Context:

Azad Kashmir’s outdated legal framework leaves it vulnerable to cybercriminals exploiting its porous digital infrastructure. With no local cybercrime law, activists demand urgent reforms to protect women in a region already strained by geopolitical tensions.

The case underscores the dual threats faced by women in conflict zones: patriarchal exploitation and digital predation. As investigations continue, authorities fear more victims may emerge.

Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir: Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC), a prominent civil society coalition in Pakistan-administered Azad Kashmir, has issued a sweeping declaration demanding immediate reforms across governance, public safety, and infrastructure. The group warned of “full-scale resistance” if its demands are ignored, escalating tensions in the politically sensitive region.

Key Demands and Criticisms:

1. Governance Overhaul:

• JPAC refuses to engage with assembly members not directly elected from Azad Kashmir, calling the current legislative body “interim” and illegitimate.
• It rejected a motion to increase privileges for lawmakers, arguing that lavish benefits for an “interim assembly” violate public trust.

1. Public Safety and Policing:

• The committee accused police and administration of becoming “tools of elite oppression,” citing recent harassment cases against women in Mirpur, a Baloch woman, and student violence in Muzaffarabad.
• It demanded an end to the “black law” Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) ordinance, condemning the arrest of activist Mujtaba Banday under the colonial-era statute.

1. Food Security and Corruption:

• JPAC criticized the government for deploying “inadequate mobile labs” to test food quality instead of establishing permanent facilities. It urged authorities to first test flour supplies and “expose big mafias” behind adulterated goods.

1. Electricity and Infrastructure:

• The coalition demanded an end to discriminatory load-shedding, repairs to dilapidated power lines, and crackdowns on electricity theft.
• It called for restoring the 2017 policy for National Testing Service (NTS) candidates, alleging recent changes disadvantage local aspirants.

1. Digital Demands:

• JKAAC warned the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to improve internet services and roll out 5G in Azad Kashmir, threatening “direct action” if ignored.

Broader Political Standoffs:

• The group backed a High Court ruling to implement the Local Government Act, vowing to resist any “unconstitutional” amendments.
• It rejected the Tourism Act 2021 and demanded a ban on “green tourism” projects, which activists claim threaten local ecosystems.

Ultimatum and Mobilization:

JKJAAC set a May 10 deadline for its ward-level committees to organize protests, signaling preparations for a prolonged campaign. “If the government continues its oppressive policies, we will respond decisively,” the declaration stated.

Context and Implications:

Azad Kashmir, a disputed region between Pakistan and India, has seen rising civil society activism amid allegations of administrative neglect and centralized control from Islamabad. The JKJAAC’s demands reflect broader frustrations over governance, economic inequality, and infrastructure gaps.

The region’s government has yet to respond to the ultimatum. Observers warn that unmet demands could trigger widespread unrest, particularly as the committee gains traction among students, traders, and grassroots organizations.