International Solidarity Campaign Gains Momentum for Ahsan Ali and AAC-GB Leaders
The arrest and detention of key leaders from the Awaami Action Committee Gilgit-Baltistan (AAC-GB) has sparked a powerful wave of solidarity across British trade unions, with multiple branches and conferences passing emergency motions demanding their immediate release.
Background: Arrests Spark International Solidarity
The Pakistani authorities arrested several prominent AAC-GB leaders, including:
- Ehsan Ali (Chairman and lawyer)
- Waheed Hassan (Media officer)
- Mehboob Wali (Vice chairman)
- Asghar Shah (Youth wing head)
These activists face charges of “disturbing public order” for peacefully protesting restrictions on their democratic right to organise. Most concerning is that Ehsan Ali has been placed on Pakistan’s notorious “Fourth Schedule,” which severely restricts his freedom of movement.
The arrests occurred as the AAC-GB was planning a meeting to address public ownership of natural resources in the Gilgit-Baltistan region—a critical issue for communities facing extreme poverty whilst their natural resources are extracted for profit elsewhere.
Major Victory at United Policy Conference 2025
In a significant show of solidarity, the United Policy Conference 2025 in Brighton passed an emergency motion supporting the arrested activists. The conference, attended by approximately 800 delegates, overwhelmingly carried the motion after hearing passionate speeches about the importance of international workers’ solidarity.
The motion explicitly:
- Condemned the politically motivated arrests
- Demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all detained AAC-GB leaders
- Called for Ehsan Ali’s removal from the Fourth Schedule
- Mandated executive bodies to write to Pakistani diplomatic representatives
- Pledged ongoing support for the Pakistan Trade Union Solidarity Campaign
Growing Support Across UK Trade Union Movement
The solidarity campaign has rapidly gained traction beyond Brighton, with several trade union branches taking decisive action:
North Tyneside Unison
Members passed a motion specifically addressing the situation in Gilgit-Baltistan, adding their voice to the growing chorus demanding justice for the detained activists.
Unite Hampshire Health Branch
Healthcare workers in Hampshire demonstrated their international solidarity by passing a motion supporting the detained activists, recognising that attacks on trade union rights anywhere are a threat to workers everywhere.
Why This Matters
The AAC-GB has been instrumental in securing vital concessions for communities in Gilgit-Baltistan, including:
- Flour subsidies for families facing food insecurity
- Improved electricity provision
- Better access to healthcare services
- Enhanced educational opportunities
Their arrest represents not just an attack on individual activists, but on the broader movement for economic justice and democratic rights in the region.
The Fight Continues
These solidarity actions demonstrate the strength of international trade union networks and the commitment of British workers to support their counterparts facing repression abroad. The criminalisation of peaceful political activity in Gilgit-Baltistan sets a dangerous precedent that trade unionists worldwide must resist.
As the campaign continues to build momentum, trade union branches across the UK are being encouraged to:
- Pass similar solidarity motions
- Raise awareness among their members
- Contact Pakistani diplomatic representatives
- Support the ongoing Pakistan Trade Union Solidarity Campaign
The message from British trade unions is clear: the international working-class movement stands united, and attacks on trade union rights in Gilgit-Baltistan will not go unchallenged.
For more information about how your trade union branch can support this campaign, please contact the Pakistan Trade Union Solidarity Campaign at contact@pakistansolidarity.org