On the call of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding chairman Imran Khan and under the directives of PTI Gilgit-Baltistan’s president and former Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid, peaceful protest were held across Gilgit-Baltistan on 5 August. The rallies, described as historic by party leaders, were organized to protest what PTI Gilgit-Baltistan termed the unjust imprisonment of Imran Khan and the ongoing political targeting of party workers and leadership in the region.
The central demonstration took place at Ittehad Chowk in Gilgit, drawing thousands of participants from the city and nearby towns. Political workers and supporters of both PTI and Majlis Wahdat-ul-Muslimeen (MWM) joined in the demonstration, holding placards and chanting slogans demanding the immediate release of Imran Khan and other detained political workers.
The rally was led by PTI Senior Vice President and Member of Assembly Raja Zakaria Khan Maqpoon. Addressing the protestors via phone, former Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid strongly condemned the continued imprisonment of Imran Khan, calling it a violation of constitutional and democratic values. He drew a parallel between the political situation in Pakistan and the Day of Exploitation being observed across the border in Indian-occupied Kashmir, stating that Gilgit-Baltistan too had witnessed “three years of political, constitutional, and democratic exploitation.”
He further alleged that PTI leaders and workers in Gilgit-Baltistan were being subjected to political revenge, and accused the current government of being undemocratic and incompetent. He said the rule of law, democracy, and judicial independence had been systematically dismantled.
In his address, Raja Zakaria Khan Maqpoon declared that Imran Khan’s only “crime” was his refusal to compromise on national sovereignty. He claimed that Khalid Khurshid was being targeted solely for his loyalty to Imran Khan. He warned that any harm to Khurshid would not be tolerated by the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Calling the protests the beginning of a new movement, Zakaria said the people were ready to stand up for their rights and that further steps would be announced soon. He accused the current ruling parties of failing to deliver on their promises and instead looting national resources under political cover.
The peaceful protest was attended by several PTI Gilgit-Baltistan leaders including Gulab Shah Asif (Vice President), Professor Ajmal Hussain (Additional General Secretary), Ali Taj (Information Secretary), Murad Ali (Finance Secretary), Tabarak Atta Sanga (Joint Secretary), Atiq Pirzada and Zain-ul-Abideen (former Youth Wing Presidents), Owais Mehboob (ISF GB President), Zakir Saam, Amir Khan, and Qamar Zaman (Deputy Secretaries Information).
Members of Majlis Wahdat-ul-Muslimeen also participated in the protest, with Sheikh Nayer Abbas Mustafavi (Senior Vice President), Ilyas Siddiqui, and other office bearers present alongside their supporters.
Representatives of PTI’s Insaf Lawyers Wing, led by Mehmood Advocate, and the Insaf Labour Wing also took part in the demonstrations. The protests remained peaceful throughout the day, with heavy participation in various parts of Gilgit-Baltistan, signaling a new wave of political mobilization in the region.
Discover more from Karakoram Today
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
