Islamabad, March 14 (NationPress) Pakistan is leveraging its counter-terrorism unit to further suppress the local Shia populace, resulting in the detention of numerous Shia student demonstrators who are now facing terrorism charges. In the region of Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB), where the Shia community constitutes the majority, such oppressive measures have been a long-standing issue, with intelligence agencies portraying them as a national security threat, as reported.

A report from Global Strat View indicates that after the Pakistani military's takeover of PoGB in 1947, they instigated the first Shia-Sunni conflict to rally support from the local Sunni minority and strengthen their control.

Since then, it has been noted that “hundreds of local Shias” in PoGB have faced violence, displacement, or even death at the hands of the military and affiliated extremist groups.

The recent military crackdown on Shias in PoGB occurred on March 1, resulting in 14 civilian fatalities and 60 injuries, including eight minors under the age of 15.

“This violence erupted as Shias were protesting the killing of Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei. Pakistan's military accused the protesters of igniting fires at military facilities, schools, and offices. A Shia leader recounted that military personnel shot and killed four women in his presence,” the report stated.

The situation in PoGB remains dire, with reports of a curfew in place. A local leader lamented, “Life during Ramadan has become unbearable as residents are forced to fast without access to essential supplies like fuel, food, water, or electricity. Due to corruption and mismanagement in Gilgit, residents receive running water and electricity only a few hours every three days. In contrast, food prices soar during Ramadan in Pakistan while they decrease in India, easing the burden for Muslims in Ladakh and Kashmir.

The report also emphasized that, similar to previous atrocities, the latest massacre of Shias in PoGB was premeditated.

“On the same day, millions of Shias in Indian Ladakh and Kashmir protested peacefully without any casualties. This highlights the stark difference in treatment, as India treats the Shias of Ladakh and Kashmir as integral citizens, while Pakistan maintains an illegal occupation over Gilgit Baltistan,” it continued.

The report accused Pakistan of enforcing a systematic “extermination policy” against Shias, effectively rendering them a minority in PoGB.

“Conversely, the Shia demographic in Ladakh has increased from 40% to 46% over the years, without any incidents of violence, targeted killings, or accusations of blasphemy or terrorism against Shia individuals,” it added.

The report concluded that the military's policies have fostered resentment among the local population, igniting a strong desire for freedom, with tens of thousands of citizens now taking to the streets of PoGB, expressing their anger towards Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Asim Munir.