GILGIT — Eight religious scholars, led by Agha Rahat Hussain Al-Hussaini, have presented themselves for arrest on Monday, in protest against alleged extrajudicial detentions in the region. The move has quickly triggered protests across Gilgit city, the provicial capital of Gilgit-Baltistan.
The demonstrators blocked the Karakuram Highway (KKH), main roads as well as streets within the city and adjoining areas of Gilgit city, disrupting the movement across multiple locations.
The road closures brought traffic in Gilgit to a complete standstill, with residents reportedly being stranded at various points across the city as the demonstrations continued.
According to social media reports, protests had been continuing for several days against the arrest of four young men last month, raising concerns among political and religious circles. However, as the detained individuals had still not been released, religious scholars collectively decided to offer themselves for arrest.
Today, religious scholars led by Agha Rahat Hussain Al-Hussaini, the Quaid-e-Millat-e-Jafria of Gilgit-Baltistan, arrived at the City Police Station, accompanied by members of the Anjuman Imamia and a large number of local residents.
The religious scholars demanded that police clarify whether any legal case or arrestable charge had been registered against the detained youths. If not, they demanded that the youths be released immediately.
On the occasion, the SDPO of the City Police Station told the scholars that no person could be arrested without justification. The police also declined to accept their collective arrest. Police officials maintained that action against any individual could only be taken in accordance with the law.
Authorities have yet to issue a statement addressing the scholars’ claims of extrajudicial detentions or the resulting unrest.
In view of the situation, a police contingent remained deployed at the City Police Station and various protest sites. Meanwhile, the administration continued efforts to restore normalcy and hold talks with the protesters.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more details become available.
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