A strong reaction was witnessed in Astore against the arrest of Advocate Taaruf Abbas in Gilgit-Baltistan, where a condemnation resolution was passed, declaring it political revenge.
There was a strong reaction in Astore district, especially in Constituency No. 14 Astore 2, against the registration of a case against Independent candidate Advocate Taaruf Abbas and sending him on 15-day remand.
The public, political and social workers, lawyers, students and human rights activists issued a joint condemnation resolution, calling this move political revenge and an attempt to influence the electoral process.
The resolution states that the action against a political candidate under terrorism provisions, especially ATA 6/7, before the elections to the Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly, is extremely worrying, which is not only affecting his political activities but is also restricting the democratic right of the people to vote.
The participants took the position that linking dissent, political criticism and nationalist ideologies with terrorism is against democratic values and fundamental human rights. The resolution stated that the use of state power against political activists and candidates is unacceptable, while freedom of expression, political affiliation and fair elections are the constitutional rights of every citizen.
The condemnatory resolution demanded that the government of Gilgit-Baltistan, the relevant administration, law enforcement agencies, the Election Commission and the higher judiciary conduct an impartial investigation into the FIR registered against Advocate Taaruf Abbas and his background, stop politically motivated retaliation and provide a free, transparent and fair electoral environment to all candidates.
At the end of the resolution, it was resolved that the people of Gilgit-Baltistan will continue to raise their constitutional and democratic voice against all kinds of political oppression, injustice and violation of fundamental rights.
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