Washington, March 21 (NationPress) In the event of a comprehensive conflict involving Iran and neighboring Arab nations, the safety of Shia citizens in Pakistan could be at serious risk. A report emphasizes that residents of Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB) could achieve a dignified existence by liberating themselves from the constraints of the Two-Nation doctrine and reuniting with India.

In an article for Global Strat View, Senge Sering, founder of the Gilgit Baltistan Studies in Washington, contends that it is crucial to stop Pakistan from manipulating religion as a "cover" to hide its brutal agenda that threatens cultural identity and appropriates the natural resources of PoGB.

“This year, disruptions along the Karakoram Highway will stem from more than just snow avalanches and landslides. The Karakoram Highway, which traverses through Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan, has been heavily affected by the fallout from the assassination of Ayatollah Khamenei. On March 1, the Pakistani military opened fire, resulting in the deaths of 18 individuals, including eight children, in an attempt to quell the violent protests led by Khamenei loyalists in Gilgit and Skardu. Following these events, a curfew was imposed, providing a temporary calm to the escalating tensions. Authorities assert that demonstrators were responsible for the deaths of two soldiers and the destruction of several military properties,” Sering explained.

He pointed out that Pakistani law enforcement is actively pursuing and arresting numerous residents in PoGB, including those believed to have connections with "Iran-funded" religious groups.

“Police are conducting nighttime raids on private homes, showing blatant disregard for the sanctity of Ramadan, and are transferring detainees to secretive torture facilities. Currently, anyone raising public awareness about state-sponsored abuses or who has the potential to mobilize protests is at risk of arrest. Reports indicate that prominent political and cultural activists, such as Advocate Ehsan Ali, Engineer Mehboob, Advocate Nafees, Fida Isar, Taruf Abbas, Sheikh Yusuf, Nazar Kazmi, and Shabbir Mayar, have been detained to instill fear within society,” the expert noted.

Such actions, he argues, are designed to mitigate growing domestic unrest, with both the USA and Saudi Arabia expecting the Pakistani military to contribute to forthcoming ground operations against Iran.

The report suggests that the Pakistani military plays a critical role in providing vital intelligence and analytical backing to its Arab and Western partners while deploying a substantial number of media operatives to shape public opinion and rationalize attacks on Iran.

“The media exploits domestic anti-Hindu sentiments to portray Iran as a foe for establishing a defense and strategic alliance with India, akin to the agreement Pakistan recently formed with Saudi Arabia. Pakistani media have also criticized Iran for permitting Indian vessels to navigate through the Hormuz Strait, while Pakistan relies on Yanbu port in the Red Sea for oil imports. Many influential Pakistanis believe that a media campaign will demonstrate their loyalty to the Saudis and secure financial assistance without engaging in actual warfare,” the report further elaborated.