Gilgit Baltistan: Misuse Anti-Terrorism Law

Gilgit Baltistan: Misuse Anti-Terrorism Law Gilgit-Baltistan political and social leader Shabir Hussain Mayar was arrested on the night of 18 April 2026 from a local hotel in Gilgit city where he had come for treatment from Skardu. In view of the apprehension of attending the meeting, Shabir Mayar has been produced before the Anti-Terrorism Court and handed over to the Joint Investigation Team on physical remand twice, he will be on physical remand until May 12, 2026. The arrest of Shabir Mayar and the false anti-terrorism case foisted on him and his repeated physical remand is enough to understand the human rights situation in Gilgit-Baltistan, the arrest of Shabir Mayar and the case against him is in contradiction with the basic human rights guaranteed in the Constitution of Pakistan itself, and the filing of a case of terrorism without any crime against a peaceful and ailing entrepreneur is a strong evidence of the misuse of this law. Shabir Mayar was kept under house arrest for two years for fighting for his civil rights. A few days ago, he came to Gilgit city for his check-up as he was suffering from a serious heart disease. He was arrested there and is not allowed to meet his lawyers in the police station. Shabir Mayar is 44 years old, he belongs to the Kharmang Valley of Baltistan, he is the chief organizer of the Gilgit-Baltistan United Moment, he has been arrested a few weeks before the general elections for the assembly in Gilgit-Baltistan and the office of his political party Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement has been sealed, as the Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement was going to represent the people by participating in the elections. After the arrest of the chief organizer and the closure of the office, the involvement of the national party Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement in the elections is uncertain. The Secretary General of Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement has called upon the Government of Pakistan to stop the alleged human rights violations in Gilgit-Baltistan and immediately release all political leaders of Gilgit-Baltistan including Shabir Mayar so that they can exercise their franchise by joining the general elections. Secretary General Gilgit Baltistan United Movement Skardu Baltistan May 2, 2026