‘Situation in G-B completely peaceful’, says Murtaza Solangi

ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi on Sunday said that “Gilgit-Baltistan is currently experiencing complete peace, emphasizing the overall calmness of the law and order situation in the region.”

Solangi in a tweet on ‘X’ formerly known as Twitter said that, “the news and speculations circulating in the media regarding the deployment of the Pakistan Army are completely baseless.”

“All roads, trade centres, business activities and educational institutions in G-B are open as usual. The services of Pakistan Army and Civil Armed Forces have been requisitioned only to maintain law and order on the eve of Chehlam of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA),” he added.

In a statement released by the Home Department of Gilgit-Baltistan, it has been clarified that the situation in Gilgit-Baltistan is completely peaceful and the news and speculations circulating in media regarding the deployment of Pakistan Army are completely baseless.
All roads,…

— Murtaza Solangi (@murtazasolangi) September 3, 2023

On Saturday, news reports circulated regarding the deployment of personnel from Rangers, GB Scouts, and Frontier Corps in major cities after disturbances triggered by protests in Diamer’s Chilas. Demonstrators blocked the Karakoram Highway and Babusar Pass road for three days, demanding the apprehension of a religious leader from Skardu, Agha Baqir Al-Hussaini, for his alleged controversial remarks.

Protest rallies also occurred in Astore and Gilgit after a religious leader delivered an unbecoming speech in Gilgit city. The protest rally in Gilgit city ended following the registration of a First Information Report against religious leader Qazi Nisar.

Protesters in Gilgit Baltistan demand release of AAC leaders

In reaction to these events, a market and transport strike occurred in Skardu, with protesters obstructing major roads, including the Juglot-Skardu road.

Consequently, the GB government resolved to deploy the Karakoram Task Force and police personnel on the Karakoram Highway, Juglot-Skardu Road, and Babusar Top to ensure passenger safety and the smooth flow of vehicular traffic.