Islamabad: Protests have erupted in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (POGB) as locals took to the streets opposing the inclusion of controversial figures in the caretaker government. According to local media, the GB Youth Movement led demonstrations in the Chinarbagh area against the caretaker cabinet’s appointments.
As reported by the Pakistani newspaper Dawn, members of political and civil society groups announced protests in Ghanchay, Nagar, and Shigar districts over the lack of adequate representation in the caretaker setup.
Protesters claimed that the caretaker cabinet included several contentious individuals and warned that their inclusion appeared to be an attempt to rig the upcoming general elections. They expressed their strong disapproval of such moves.
Demanding that the caretaker cabinet assign representation to educated youth and neutral members, the demonstrators have vowed to continue their sit-in until the appointment decisions are revoked.
During the protests, demonstrators blocked River Road in Chinarbagh. Subsequently, police arrested eight protesters, including the chairman of the GB Youth Movement.
A report last month had stated that elections in POGB would remain meaningless unless the region is granted a provincial constitution and the assembly is empowered to legislate on resources.
Locals also reminded Pakistan of a United Nations Security Council resolution that calls for the removal of all Pakistani nationals from Gilgit-Baltistan to resolve the dispute with India. This was highlighted by Senge Sering, founder of the Institute for Gilgit Baltistan Studies based in the USA, in a report by the International Centre for Peace Studies.
The report noted that nationalists previously boycotted elections in Gilgit-Baltistan because the local election commission required all candidates to swear allegiance to Pakistan. Nationalists argue that Gilgit-Baltistan is not legally part of Pakistan, making such oaths unconstitutional and against Islamic principles.
However, this time the nationalist alliance has decided to field candidates in all constituencies, believing that the sham process enables Pakistani puppets to fill political vacuums, control funding, and misuse the region’s true national identity.
Furthermore, the report stated that traditionally, the Pakistan Army has supported political parties like the Muslim League, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, and the Pakistan Peoples Party to dominate local electoral politics and help form governments. This also facilitates the illegal settlement of Pakistani Pashtuns, Hindkowans, and Punjabis in the occupied territory.
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