Lawyers in Gilgit-Baltistan stage strike over arrest of senior colleague under anti-terror law

GILGIT: Lawyers across Gilgit-Baltistan observed a strike and boycotted court proceedings on Monday in protest against the arrest of a senior lawyer and other activists under the Anti-Terrorism Act. The action followed a strike call issued by the Gilgit-Baltistan High Court Bar Association.

As a result of the protest, legal proceedings in both upper and lower courts were disrupted, leaving litigants facing difficulties as lawyers did not appear for scheduled hearings.

The strike was organized in response to the recent arrests of Ehsan Ali Advocate, who serves as chairman of the GB Awami Action Committee, along with other committee leaders. According to a statement from the GB High Court Bar Association, its cabinet convened a meeting chaired by President Zaffar Iqbal to discuss the situation. The association expressed reservations over the arrests of advocates Ehsan Ali and Muhammad Nafees.

Ehsan Ali and Muhammad Nafees were arrested on Wednesday on charges of making anti-state statements during an Iftar party and for allegedly planning an anti-state rally. The GB High Court Bar Association, in its statement, condemned what it described as the “illegal arrest of the lawyers.”

Meanwhile, a petition has been filed in the GB Anti-Terrorism Court seeking relief for those arrested. The ongoing strike has affected court operations throughout the region, with lawyers maintaining their boycott in solidarity with their detained colleagues.