By Tanveer Ahmed
GILGIT: Widespread protests erupted in Gilgit and surrounding areas after alleged blasphemous remarks targeting sacred religious figures circulated on social media, prompting road blockades, business closures, and heightened security, officials said Monday.
The demonstrations began late Sunday, with protesters blocking key arteries including River View Road, Lalak Jan Shaheed Chowk in Jutial, Serena Chowk in Upper Jutial, and Yadgar Chowk. Demonstrators burned tires, erected barriers, and shut down Shahrah-e-Quaid-e-Azam, the city’s main thoroughfare. In the Jaglot subdivision, protesters staged a sit-in on the Karakoram Highway, demanding the immediate arrest of the suspect responsible for the online content.
On Monday, hundreds of residents again took to the streets, calling for swift legal action. Protest leaders said the circulated content deeply hurt religious sentiments and demanded that those responsible be prosecuted under blasphemy and other applicable laws.
The road closures caused major traffic disruptions, leaving commuters stranded for hours. Police and district administration officials were deployed in large numbers to maintain order and prevent further escalation. Later, talks were held between leaders of a local religious organization and provincial authorities. Government representatives confirmed that a case had been registered at Jutial Police Station against the individual accused of posting the content. The case reportedly included provisions under Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Act. Officials assured protest leaders that the suspect would be arrested and prosecuted.
Following the negotiations, organizers announced that demonstrations would be suspended until Friday, February 27, setting a deadline for authorities to take visible action. Traffic on major roads was restored shortly afterward. Protest leaders warned that demonstrations could resume if their demands were not met within the stipulated time.
Caretaker Provincial Interior Minister Sajid Ali Baig convened a high-level meeting to review the security situation, attended by senior civil and police officials. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Baig said that special teams had been formed to arrest those involved and that intelligence agencies were working together on the investigation. He stressed that action would also be taken against anyone found spreading incitement through fake social media accounts and warned that no one would be allowed to disrupt peace in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Authorities urged residents to remain calm, avoid spreading rumors, and refrain from blocking roads, emphasizing that the government was committed to maintaining law and order in the region.
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