Protests erupt in Gilgit-Baltistan over arrest of Shia Cleric for his ‘blasphemous’ remarks, threaten to merge with India

Massive protests erupted on August 31 in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan over the imprisonment of a Shia cleric following Pakistan’s solidified blasphemy legal guidelines. The demonstrations are stated to be the best within the area’s historical past, with slogans resembling “Chalo, chalo Kargil chalo” being raised.

Local leaders in Gilgit have cautioned the Pakistan authorities of civil warfare, and a few have even known as for an affiliation with India. According to the stories, Skardu locals protested after Shia cleric Agha Baqir al-Hussaini was booked and arrested for remarks made at a spiritual gathering.

Agha Baqir al-Hussaini was detained for his feedback made at a Skardu Ulama Council assembly about Pakistan’s blasphemy legal guidelines being strengthened, ostensibly to focus on the Shia group. Islamic fundamentalism is shared by each Shia and Sunni Muslims, nonetheless, Shias don’t revere spiritual personalities who challenged the fourth Caliph, Ali.

Highway connecting Pak-China blocked at a number of locations in #PoK & #GilgitBaltistan as Shia-Sunni tensions rise after a prime Shia cleric arrested for “disrespectful” feedback concerning the Prophet

Blasphemy legal guidelines are an built-in software to focus on minorities in 🇵🇰pic.twitter.com/CmziU4j07u

— Peerzada Azhar (@PeerzadaAzhar_) August 27, 2023

The majority of individuals in Pakistan are Sunnis, nonetheless, Gilgit-Baltistan comprises a sizeable Shia inhabitants. Starting with Gen Zia-Ul Haq’s administration, successive Pakistani governments made an effort to alter the ethnic composition of Gilgit-Baltistan by transferring Sunnis there.

Baltistan, Diamer, and Gilgit are the executive divisions of the Gilgit-Baltistan space. Gilgit and Skardu are the first administrative facilities.

Locals say will go to Kargil as a substitute of Punjab, Sindh in Pakistan

Despite the truth that the protests in Gilgit have acquired no consideration from the Pakistani media, a number of images and video cases have emerged on social media, demonstrating the magnitude of the discontent.

Several stories counsel that the preliminary protest started on August 22 by Sunni group individuals who demanded the arrest of Agha Baqir al-Hussaini. The protesters in Daimer are stated to have blocked the Karakoram Highway that connects the area to Pakistan.

فَرَازِ دَار سے مِیثَم بیان دیتے ہیں
رہے گا ذِکرِ علی(ع)، ہم زبان دیتے ہیں#Skardu #GilgitBaltistan pic.twitter.com/KqWYpYYukj

— Ali (@m3khr) August 25, 2023

Shias have now begun placing out demonstrations as a response to these protests and the arrest of cleric al-Hussaini, movies of that are presently being circulated on X.

Looks #GilgitBaltistan sectarian divide is just not going to calm quickly. pic.twitter.com/OnuQGBIybq

— 🇵🇰Frankly Speaking (@occupiedbypak) August 25, 2023

In the movies, protesters might be heard yelling anti-Pakistan slogans and likewise slogans criticizing Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir.

Local leaders additionally seem in movies saying that if the route stays closed, individuals will make their option to Kargil moderately than Punjab or Sindh of Pakistan, referring to merging Gilgit with India. They additionally threatened civil warfare if their calls for for the discharge of al-Hussaini and the opening of the roadway weren’t met.

We will welcome you with open arms 💚 #GilgitBaltistan #Insolidarity_AghaBaqir pic.twitter.com/VF5AUtNjKN

— Sajjad Kargili | سجاد کرگلی (@SajjadKargili_) August 29, 2023
Blasphemy regulation targets Shia; What Hussaini stated?

In January, Pakistan amended its already stringent blasphemy legal guidelines, extending them to penalize anybody who offends individuals related to Prophet Muhammad. The change now makes insulting the Prophet Muhammad’s associates, which included many early Muslims, against the law. One of them is Yazid, the supply of controversy on this case.

In his speech, Al-Hussaini allegedly insulted Yazid, son of Muawiya, which led to the blasphemy allegations in opposition to him. At Yazid’s command, Hussain (the Prophet Mohammed’s grandson) was killed within the Battle of Karbala.

Shias don’t maintain figures like Yazid in the identical regard as Sunnis do as a result of they mourn Hussain’s martyrdom within the month of Moharram. That is the explanation why Moharram is a delicate subject in locations the place Shias and Sunnis stay collectively.

The minimal punishment for insulting outstanding figures of Islam in Pakistan has not too long ago been doubled beneath an amended regulation from three to 10 years in jail and a positive of 1 million Pakistani rupees. Further blasphemy is an offense that can not be banished on bail beneath essentially the most extreme punishment, which is a life sentence.

Protesters say Hussaini won’t ever apologize for his assertion

The blasphemy legal guidelines had already been altered to particularly goal Ahmadis, who had already been labeled as non-Muslims. However, now the protesters say that the legal guidelines have been amended to particularly goal the Shia group. 

The protesters demanded the withdrawal of the FIR in opposition to Hussaini and likewise acknowledged that he wouldn’t apologize for his assertion.

The cleric beforehand had claimed that he would by no means search forgiveness, regardless of what number of FIRs are filed in opposition to him, or if he will get detained or assassinated. The demonstrators acknowledged that if the authorities can’t make the freeway to Punjab accessible, they won’t journey there and as a substitute requested that the street to Kargil be opened.

A Local activist of Skardu is elevating issues concerning latest protests on KKH Chilas
He addressed Pakistan” If you create hassle for the residents of this disputed area #GilgitBaltistan, then we do not need connectivity with #Pakistan. Open the way in which to Kargil for us… pic.twitter.com/1Xq6WfVWCj

— Naveed Murtaza (@NaveedMurtaza11) August 25, 2023

Following communal tensions, the administration has determined to maintain all academic establishments in Skardu closed. Many vacationers have been stranded because of KKH’s closure. The freeway is being reported to be open on social media, however it’s nonetheless not absolutely operational, and the state of affairs stays tight.