On May 15, 2025, protests broke out across Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) in response to the arrest of five leaders of the Gilgit-Baltistan Awami Action Committee (AAC), including chairman Ehsan Ali Advocate, ahead of a planned Grand Jirga on May 26.
Demonstrations took place in Hunza, Gilgit, and Skardu, where protesters condemned the arrests and demanded the immediate release of the detained activists. The Awami Action Committee (AAC) claims that these arrests were a deliberate attempt to disrupt the jirga, which aimed to address local concerns regarding ownership of natural resources.
Police arrested Ehsan Ali Advocate, Engineer Mahboob Wali, Masoodul Rehman, Asghar Shah, and Waheed Hassan in Gilgit on Wednesday evening. On Thursday, a GB anti-terrorism court granted a 14-day physical remand, and the activists were transferred to the Airport Police Station.
Protest against the arrest of Awami Action Committee Gilgit Baltistan Leader Ehsan Advocate held in Hunza Press Club. #GilgitBaltistan pic.twitter.com/AuoHB5omqP
— Ziauddin Shah (@zatsbrown) May 15, 2025Authorities have not released the First Information Report (FIR). Still, a police source indicated the arrests were made under anti-terrorism laws for alleged anti-state activities and hate speech amid recent Pakistan-India border tensions. An FIR reportedly targets 16 AAC leaders.
In Aliabad, Hunza, protesters gathered along the Karakoram Highway, accusing the GB government of suppressing political dissent under false pretences.
Posts on social media and X echoed this sentiment, with users like @Tooba_Sd calling the arrests “unacceptable” and urging the state to address grievances rather than silence voices. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) condemned the crackdown, demanding the release of the activists and respect for free expression.
Several members of Awami Action Committee have been arrested from Gilgit-Baltistan which is absolutely unacceptable. The state must stop this repression of political dissent & instead listen to their grievances. Silencing tactics do not curb voices, it only causes unrest!
— Tooba (@Tooba_Sd) May 15, 2025The AAC, a coalition of political, religious, and trade groups, has long advocated for GB residents’ rights, including control over land and resources, fair subsidies, and infrastructure improvements. Previous protests, such as those in 2023–2024 over wheat price hikes, highlighted similar grievances, with Ehsan Ali Advocate leading calls for a 15-point charter of demands.
