Gilgit Baltistan: Free Shabbir Mayar, the political leader of GB

Skardu (Press Release) 19 April 2026

Shabbir Mayar, Chief Organizer of the Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement, was arrested from a local hotel in Gilgit, Baltistan Inn, and detained at the JIT Center Gilgit. Shabbir Mayar had come from Skardu to Gilgit for medical treatment. On the night of April 16, 2026 law enforcement agencies took him into custody and transferred him to an undisclosed location. The Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement strongly condemned this action, calling his arrest state oppression. Such measures are a conspiracy to alienate the new generation of Gilgit-Baltistan from the Government of Pakistan. Shabbir Mayar has unjustly been placed on the Fourth Schedule for eight years to restrict his political activities and travel. Shabbir Mayar is a strong and powerful voice of the oppressed and marginalized people of Gilgit-Baltistan, and his repeated arrest reflects increasing political pressure in the region. He has been arrested to prevent him from participating in the forthcoming elections in Gilgit-Baltistan in next month so that he cannot campaign on public issues. Leaders of the United Movement have demanded that the government immediately release Comrade Shabbir Mayar and refrain from any unlawful actions against him. They warned that if his release is delayed, a full-scale protest movement will be launched. Issued by Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement Central Secretariat Skardu