Protests in Gilgit Baltistan Against Land Leasing to Private Businesses

Locals in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit Baltistan (PoGB) are upset about the recent leasing of forest land and rest houses to private business owners from Punjab Province. The local administration is accused of bypassing legal procedures and leasing lands owned by individuals.

Public Outcry

Advocate Ehsaan Ali, Chairman of the Awami Action Committee (AAC), spoke out against these actions during a public gathering. He called the local administration’s actions corrupt and unacceptable.

Calls for Accountability

In a letter to Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan, Ehsaan Ali stated, “Gulbar Saab, the days of your ruling have passed now and you have been exposed along with your entire corrupt government and officials. And now the general public will hold you accountable.”

Ali emphasized that their protests would be peaceful and within their charter of demands. He accused the government of choosing violence in other regions and exploiting PoGB’s resources for over 70 years.

Long-standing Issues

Ali also criticized the government for keeping PoGB’s people poor and uneducated, and for selling their lands to outsiders, including China. He demanded that the government stop these actions immediately or resign.