The Awami Workers Party (AWP) has demanded the release of Gilgit-Baltistan political prisoners, including senior lawyer Advocate Ehsan Ali, arrested in recent days. The party said the detentions reflect political victimisation and called for the immediate and unconditional release of those held in Gilgit-Baltistan and Islamabad.
AWP demand was made during a party meeting chaired by AWP president Baba Jan. Participants reviewed the political situation in the region, recent arrests and what they described as ongoing human rights violations.
The meeting passed a resolution expressing concern over the health of the imprisoned senior lawyer and Gilgit-Baltistan Awami Action Committee chairman, Advocate Ehsan Ali. The party said his condition was a serious issue and urged authorities to act without delay.
AWP also named several detained political and social activists, including Advocate Nafees, Advocate Taaruf Abbas, Fida Hussain Isar, Manzar Maya, Abrar Bagoro, Sahib Khan, Mehr Ali, Masood ur Rehman, Waheed ul Hassan, Asghar Shah, Engineer Mehboob, Engineer Nadeem and Mir Babar. It said these arrests amount to political victimisation.
The party further condemned the arrest of Baltistan Students Federation leader Dr Aoun Balti in Islamabad and the detention of Adnan Rawat under the Anti-Terrorism Act. It also demanded their immediate release.
Participants in the meeting said the arrests of lawyers violate the Lawyers Protection Bill and weaken the rule of law. They also criticised the use of the Anti-Terrorism Act against peaceful political workers, journalists and lawyers.
The statement also described the inclusion of Shabbir Mayar in the Fourth Schedule and the reported denial of medical treatment as serious human rights violations. AWP demanded his removal from the list so he could access healthcare.
The party asked Gilgit-Baltistan Caretaker Chief Minister Justice (r) Yar Muhammad to withdraw what it called baseless and fabricated FIRs against political workers. It also urged the government to uphold constitutional and human rights, as well as the rule of law, in the region.
The statement added that AWP will take part in the upcoming Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly elections. Meanwhile, lawyers across Gilgit-Baltistan observed a strike and boycotted court proceedings on Monday after the Gilgit-Baltistan High Court Bar Association called for a protest over the arrests.
