Gilgit-Baltistan (Pakistan-administered Kashmir) — The Gilgit-Baltistan Anti-Terrorism Court today extended the police custody of three prominent leaders of the Awami Action Committee Gilgit-Baltistan (AACGB), including Youth Chairman Asghar Shah, Media Cell Incharge Waheed Hassan, and BNF President Irfan Abbas Azad, until May 28, 2025.
The trio was initially presented before the court on charges linked to their political activism and protests. After an initial four-day physical remand, the court granted further custody to law enforcement authorities.
The decision has sparked strong criticism from human rights activists and civil society groups who view the extended detention as a violation of fundamental human rights and an attempt to suppress peaceful political dissent. Critics say that portraying these leaders as criminals is part of a broader strategy to silence voices demanding justice and political rights in the region.
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The Awami Action Committee condemned the court’s ruling and called for the immediate release of Asghar Shah, Waheed Hassan, and Irfan Abbas Azad. The committee also demanded that all fabricated charges against them be dropped.
This case highlights ongoing tensions in Gilgit-Baltistan, where residents continue to raise their voices over issues related to political representation, land rights, and economic opportunities. The detention of these leaders has further ignited calls for respect of political freedoms and an end to state repression.
The Awami Action Committee emphasized that the struggle of Gilgit-Baltistan’s youth and activists is a fight for justice and democratic rights, and urged the authorities to uphold these principles.
