[Date]
His/Her Excellency [Name]
High Commissioner/Ambassador of Pakistan
[Address of Pakistani Mission]
[City, Country]
Your Excellency,
Re: Urgent Appeal for the Release of Detained Leaders of Awaami Action Committee Gilgit-Baltistan
We on behalf of [your organisation] write to express our grave concern regarding the recent arrest and detention of prominent leaders of the Awaami Action Committee – Gilgit-Baltistan (AAC-GB) by Pakistani authorities.
Details of Concern
On [date], Pakistani police arrested several leading figures including:
- Advocate Ehsan Ali, Chairman of AAC-GB and advocate
- Waheed Hassan, Media Officer of AAC-GB
- Mehboob Wali, Vice Chairman of AAC-GB
- Asghar Shah, Chairman of AAC-GB Youth Wing
- Masood Ur Rehman and other committee leaders
These individuals have been charged with “disturbing public order” following peaceful protests against restrictions on their democratic right to organise and travel freely within Pakistan.
Background to These Arrests
The detained leaders were planning a legitimate political meeting scheduled for 24-25 May in Skardu to address issues of vital importance to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, including:
- The proposed minerals bill affecting natural resource ownership
- Access to basic necessities including flour subsidies
- Provision of electricity, healthcare, and education services
Mr Ehsan Ali has been subjected to continuous harassment by state authorities, including placement on the so-called “Fourth Schedule” – legislation that severely restricts freedom of movement and was originally designed for monitoring suspected terrorists. This represents a gross misuse of anti-terrorism legislation against legitimate political organisers.
Democratic Rights and International Standards
The AAC-GB has operated peacefully and successfully within democratic frameworks, achieving significant victories for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan:
- Securing flour subsidies for communities facing food insecurity
- Negotiating improved access to electricity and essential services
- Advocating for healthcare and educational provision in underserved areas
These activities represent legitimate political organising and advocacy that should be protected under Pakistani law and international human rights standards, including:
- The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (to which Pakistan is a signatory)
- The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- Pakistan’s own constitutional guarantees of freedom of assembly and expression
Our Demands
As representatives of [trade unions/student organisations/civil society groups] committed to international solidarity and workers’ rights, we respectfully demand:
- Immediate and unconditional release of all detained AAC-GB leaders and activists
- Dropping of all charges against the detained individuals, which appear to be politically motivated
- Removal of Ehsan Ali’s name from the Fourth Schedule and restoration of his full rights to freedom of movement and political activity
- End to harassment and surveillance of AAC-GB members and supporters
- Respect for democratic rights including freedom of assembly, expression, and political organisation in Gilgit-Baltistan
- Implementation of the fourteen-point charter of demands previously agreed to by the Gilgit-Baltistan government
International Attention
We wish to inform you that this case has attracted (and still attracting) significant international attention from:
- Trade union organisations across multiple countries
- Student movements and civil society groups
- Human rights organisations
- Parliamentary representatives and elected officials
The continued detention of these leaders damages Pakistan’s international reputation and undermines its commitment to democratic governance and human rights.
Request for Action
We call upon you to:
- Convey these concerns urgently to the relevant authorities in Islamabad
- Use your diplomatic influence to secure the immediate release of the detained individuals
- Provide us with an update on actions taken to address this situation on [email]
- Facilitate dialogue between the Pakistani government and AAC-GB representatives
In Short
The people of Gilgit-Baltistan deserve the same democratic rights and freedoms enjoyed by all Pakistani citizens. The criminalisation of peaceful political organising sets a dangerous precedent and undermines Pakistan’s democratic institutions.
We look forward to your urgent intervention in this matter and to receiving confirmation of steps taken to secure the release of these dedicated community leaders.
The international labour movement stands in solidarity with our comrades in Gilgit-Baltistan, and we will continue to monitor this situation closely.
Yours respectfully,
[Signature]
[Name and Title]
[Organisation]
[Contact Details]
CC:
- Minister of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan (spokesperson.office1@mofa.gov.pk)
- Minister of Interior, Pakistan (dslaw2@interior.gov.pk)
- Chief Minister, Gilgit-Baltistan (infogilgitgovernment@gov.pk)
- [Local MPs/Parliamentary Representatives]
- contact@pakistansolidarity.org