Human rights commission of Pakistan raises concerns over human rights violations in Gilgit-Baltistan

NEW DELHI: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has raised concerns regarding prolonged power outages and internet disruptions in Pakistan-held Gilgit-Baltistan, as reported by Dawn. They have demanded the safe return of a 13-year-old girl who was recently abducted.

At a press conference on Friday, HRCP co-chairperson Munizae Jahangir, along with regional coordinator Israruddin Israr, political leader Baba Jan, and women's rights activist Yasmin Kareem, highlighted the human rights violations in Gilgit-Baltistan, according to Dawn. Jahangir emphasized the alarming situation where residents are enduring over 22 hours of power cuts daily and emphasized the adverse impact of the electricity crisis on the local population. She also addressed the internet disruptions in the region and urged immediate action to rectify the situation. Jahangir expressed distress over the abduction of Falak Noor, a 13-year-old girl, questioning the police's effectiveness. She criticized the alleged support of the police towards the perpetrators and stressed the importance of a fair trial to determine the girl's age, as per Dawn’s report.

Chief Justice Ali Baig of the Gilgit Chief Court has instructed the local police to present the girl in court. Jahangir called upon authorities in Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to ensure justice for the girl's family, as reported by Dawn. She highlighted the lack of a forensic lab in the region to investigate sensitive cases and mentioned the case of an 18-year-old girl who was found in the Gilgit River after being missing for 24 days.

Moreover, at the 55th Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, political activist Sajjad Raja raised concerns about racial discrimination in Pakistan-held Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan. Raja, Chairman of the National Equality Party JKGBL, criticized the constitutional provisions in Act 74 for Pakistani Occupied Kashmir and Order 2018 for Gilgit Baltistan, citing racial discrimination in various governmental positions. He emphasized the limited job opportunities for indigenous individuals, with key roles reserved for officers of Pakistani ethnicity.

Raja also noted the prevalence of retired Pakistan Army officers in managerial positions, leading local youth to sell their assets for economic migration. He criticized the international community's inaction towards the genuine grievances of the people in these regions, calling it a violation of UNHRC Resolution 21/33. Raja urged the Council to intervene promptly and help the people in Pakistan-held Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan.

(With inputs from Agency)