The Pakistani state’s latest crackdown on democratic organising has sparked international outrage. Leading members of the Awaami Action Committee – Gilgit-Baltistan (AAC-GB), have been arrested in what can only be described as a blatantly political attack on those fighting for the poor and oppressed.

Chairman Ehsan Ali, along with media officer Waheed Hassan, vice chairman Mehboob Wali, and youth wing chairman Asghar Shah, were detained whilst planning a meeting to address grievenaces of the peopel in eth area and the ownership of natural resources in their region. Their crime? Successfully organising mass movements that lowered flour prices and secured vital concessions on electricity, healthcare, and education for their communities.

Activists, students and trade unionists in UK responded immediately, staging an emergency protest outside the Pakistani High Commission in London . Around 30 demonstrators made clear their demands: release our comrades, end state repression, and respect democratic rights.

The Pakistani consulate’s response was telling—refusing to receive the letter of protest and calling police to intimidate peaceful demonstrators rather than addressing legitimate concerns about political persecution.

This repression isn’t happening in isolation. The AAC-GB has continuously mobilised against the plundering of Gilgit-Baltistan’s resources by imperialism and Pakistan’s ruling class. Their success in organising for basic human needs has made them targets.

International solidarity is crucial. We call upon the global labour movement to organise protests, pressure Pakistani embassies, and demand the immediate release of all arrested comrades. An injury to one is an injury to all—workers of the world, unite!

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Model Motion: Solidarity with Arrested Leaders of Awaami Action Committee Gilgit-Baltistan

For Trade Unions, workers and activists organisations and student unions

Motion Text

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This [Union/Student Union] notes with grave concern:

• The arrest and detention of leading members of the Awaami Action Committee – Gilgit-Baltistan (AAC-GB), including chairman Ehsan Ali, media officer Waheed Hassan, vice chairman Mehboob Wali, and youth wing chairman Asghar Shah
• That these comrades have been charged with “disturbing public order” for peacefully protesting restrictions on their democratic right to organise
• That Ehsan Ali has been placed on Pakistan’s notorious “Fourth Schedule” – legislation originally designed for monitoring terrorists – severely restricting his freedom of movement
• That these arrests occurred as the AAC-GB planned a meeting to address the ownership of natural resources in Gilgit-Baltistan
• That the AAC-GB has successfully organised mass movements securing vital concessions on flour subsidies, electricity provision, healthcare, and education for communities living in extreme poverty

This [Union/Student Union] believes:

• These arrests represent a clear attack on democratic rights and trade union organising
• The criminalisation of peaceful political activity sets a dangerous precedent for workers’ movements globally
• International solidarity is essential to defend the right to organise against exploitation and oppression
• The struggle of workers in Gilgit-Baltistan against poverty and resource extraction is part of the broader international working-class movement

This [Union/Student Union] resolves to:

1. Condemn the politically motivated arrests and demand the immediate and unconditional release of all detained AAC-GB leaders and activists
2. Call for the removal of Ehsan Ali’s name from the Fourth Schedule and the restoration of his full democratic rights
3. Write to the Pakistani High Commissioners and Ambassadors in various pakistani embassies demanding the release of all arrested comrades and an end to state repression in Gilgit-Baltistan (SAMPLE LETTER)
4. Encourage members to participate in solidarity demonstrations and protests organised in support of the AAC-GB infront of Pakistan highcomission, embassies and consulates.
5. Share information about this case through union/organisation communications, social media, and educational materials
6. Affiliate to future solidarity campaigns and maintain ongoing support for democratic movements in Pakistan

This [Union/Student Union] commits to:

• Monitoring developments in this case and taking further action as required
• Building links with international trade union organisations to coordinate solidarity efforts
• Raising awareness of the broader struggle against imperialism and for workers’ rights in South Asia
• Supporting similar movements facing state repression globally

“An injury to one is an injury to all”

Proposed by: [Name]
Seconded by: [Name]
Date: [Date]

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