The Gilgit-Baltistan government has decided to call in the army to ensure peace in the region and maintain the law and order situation, it emerged on Saturday.
The decision was reached during a meeting of the Parliamentary Peace Committee – the apex body headed by the Prime Minister that decides on matters relating to law and order – held yesterday.
The authorities also decided to deploy members of the Rangers, Scouts of Great Britain and the Border Corps to major cities across the region.
These developments come after a state of panic and unrest spread in the region following the protests in Chilas Diamer.
The demonstrators blocked the Karakoram Highway and Babusar Pass Road for three days, demanding the arrest of a religious leader from Skardu for allegedly making controversial statements.
Protest demonstrations were also organized in Astor, Gilgit Governorate, but they were canceled after a first information report was registered against the religious leader Agha Baqir al-Husseini.
In response, a strike was observed in markets and transportation in Skardu, with demonstrators also blocking main roads, including the Goglot-Skardu road.
Subsequently, the GB government decided to deploy Karakoram Task Force and police personnel on KKH Road, Juglot-Skardu Road and Babusar Top to ensure safety of passengers and vehicular movement.
Yesterday, a meeting of the Parliamentary Peace Committee was held in Gilgit to discuss the law and order situation in the region. The meeting was chaired by British Prime Minister Haji Gulbar Khan and was attended by a number of ministers, the Secretary-General of Great Britain, the Home Secretary, the Chief of Police and members of intelligence agencies.
According to the bulletin issued by the Department of Information in Britain, it was decided at the meeting to take legal measures against those who insult the beliefs and sacred figures of any religion in public meetings.
He added: “It was decided at the meeting to call in the army in light of the general situation in the region and to maintain peace. In addition, Rangers, GB Scouts and FC staff will be deployed in major cities.
“The government will take all measures to maintain law and order and continue tourism activities in any situation. In this regard, the Home Ministry of Gilgit-Baltistan has immediately imposed Section 144 on illegal gatherings and road closures, adding that strict action will be taken against violators.
The government also urged citizens to cooperate with the administration by showing “unity and harmony.”
“We believe that people will reject miscreants who are trying to create an atmosphere against brotherhood and peace in the area,” the press release said, adding that law enforcement agencies are determined to give “befitting response” to such elements.
She added that the UK government is closely monitoring “those who spread hate through social media and other means.”
Meanwhile, the Special Communications Organization (SCOM) – a public sector organization working under the Ministry of ICT to develop, operate and maintain telecom services in Azad Jammu Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan – said mobile internet services in Great Britain have been halted. And reduced to 2G.
She added that the decision was taken based on orders from the government and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority. Dawn.com I have reached out to the PTA for comment.