GB government starts negotiations with protesters
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The Gilgit Baltistan government is engaging in discussions with the protesting parties in order to restore tranquility in the mountainous area, as mentioned by Home Minister Shams Loon on Saturday. Paramilitary forces have been summoned to aid in maintaining order.
However, the Home Minister refuted reports of Pakistan Army deployment in the region, stating, "We are in talks with amaideen [religious elders], they have provided us with assurances, and we have encouraged them to promote peace messages in Friday sermons." These talks were succeeded by a meeting of the Parliamentary Peace Committee, the top governing body presided over by the Chief Minister, responsible for law and order matters, held on Friday.
The committee consists of nine members from both the treasury and opposition benches, and the meeting took place amid weeks of protests in GB sparked by alleged derogatory remarks attributed to religious leaders. Security has been heightened in Chilas and Skardu, but the GB government dismissed reports of the army's deployment in the mountainous region during the protests as "baseless."
All roads, trade centers, businesses, and educational institutions operated normally, according to an official statement. A correspondent from Aaj News in GB confirmed that the situation in the area was normal, with markets open on Saturday. Paramilitary troops, including personnel from Rangers, GB Scouts, and FC, were deployed in the region on Friday, as confirmed by Loon, who is part of the committee, and he clarified that the army had not been called in.
He mentioned that the army's assistance has been requested to maintain order on the eve of Chehlum, observed on September 7. Security measures will be increased from Tuesday in preparation for Chehlum. Abdul Rehman Bukhari of Aaj News explained that this decision aligns with past practices where special security measures were implemented for procession routes and Imambargahs. The Home Department has enforced a ban on gatherings exceeding four persons across the region under Section 144 of CrPC to prevent any untoward incidents. Loon also noted that security in Chilas and Skardu was already stringent.
