Hunza Police Register FIR Against Protesters for Blocking KKH and Threatening Unrest Over Detention of AAC Leaders
Aliabad, Hunza – May 16, 2025: The Hunza Police have formally registered a First Information Report (FIR) against 11 named activists and several unidentified individuals in connection with a protest held on May 15, 2025. The demonstration, organized in front of the Hunza Press Club in Aliabad, was staged to demand the release of senior leaders of the Awami Action Committee (AAC), including the prominent human rights lawyer Advocate Ehsan Ali.
According to the FIR filed at the Aliabad City Police Station, the protesters blocked the Karakoram Highway (KKH)—a critical transportation route—and allegedly issued threats of further unrest if their detained leaders were not released. The protest disrupted traffic in the region and drew the attention of law enforcement authorities, who responded by invoking multiple sections of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), including:
- Section 147 – Rioting
- Section 341 – Wrongful restraint
- Section 506 – Criminal intimidation
Among those named in the FIR are several well-known political and social activists from Hunza, including:
- Engineer Aman Ullah
- Zahoor Elahi
- Nadeem Ullah Baig
- Hussain Ali
- Rizwan Ullah Baig
- Ejaz
- Muhammad Javed
- Shaukat Advocate
- Zahoor Karim Advocate
- AAC Chairman Riaz
- Shah Zaman
The FIR alleges that the protestors not only obstructed the flow of traffic but also raised threatening slogans, warning of potential unrest if the AAC leaders were not immediately released.
In a surprising turn, all the nominated individuals—along with numerous supporters from various political groups and civil society organizations—voluntarily appeared before the Aliabad City Police Station, offering themselves for arrest in a gesture of defiance and solidarity. However, the police chose not to take them into custody and instead released them on bail.
This development has sparked a wave of reactions across the region, with supporters calling the FIR an attempt to suppress dissent and silence the voices demanding rights and justice for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan. Several human rights defenders and local political figures have criticized the move as heavy-handed and have demanded the immediate withdrawal of the FIR.
The Awami Action Committee, a coalition of various regional groups advocating for constitutional rights, economic justice, and political autonomy, has stated that such actions by law enforcement will not deter their struggle. “Our fight is peaceful and democratic,” said a spokesperson. “We demand justice, not persecution.”
The situation remains tense in Hunza, with the possibility of renewed protests if the FIR is not withdrawn and the demands of the AAC are not addressed. Local authorities have urged calm and called for dialogue to resolve the matter peacefully.
