Minister Denies The Deployment Of Army In Gilgit-Baltistan

The Caretaker Federal Minister for Information, Murtaza Solangi, has refuted claims of the Pakistan Army being deployed in Gilgit-Baltistan. Solangi stated that reports suggesting such deployment are without merit.

He went on to explain that all roads, commercial centers, and educational institutions in the Gilgit-Baltistan region are operating normally. The only exception is the imposition of Section 144 by the Home Department in Gilgit-Baltistan, which is related to security measures for the observance of Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain.

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Solangi clarified that the Pakistan Army and civil armed forces have been called upon solely to maintain law and order during the Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain, with additional security measures in place along procession routes and at Imambargahs, consistent with past practices.

In addressing concerns of unrest, the minister asserted that peaceful protests have occurred in response to religious and sectarian issues, but overall, the law and order situation remains calm. He dismissed reports of violence, stating that no shots were fired and no public or private property was damaged. He characterized these protests as a natural expression of local political and democratic concerns.

In contrast, the Gilgit-Baltistan Home Department has affirmed that the situation in the region is entirely peaceful, with commercial centers and educational institutions operating as usual.