PoK: Contingent employees in Gilgit Baltistan stage protest for wage hike, allege discrimination

The World Uyghur Congress (WUC) has strongly condemned what it described as racist and defamatory remarks made by Chinese media outlets against Japanese Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Arfiya Eri, calling the incident an example of discrimination and transnational intimidation targeting Uyghurs.

The exhibition displayed a series of photographs and visual documentation portraying the hardships faced by religious and ethnic minorities, including Hindus, Christians, Sindhis, and Balochs, it also highlighted the constant oppression in Balochistan through enforced disappearances of young individuals, including both men and women, as well as forced conversions of minorities in Pakistan and arrests of several political leaders including Dr Mahrang Baloch. The exhibition aimed to draw international attention to what they described as systemic discrimination and political repression affecting these communities. It also displayed photographs of the grim condition of minorities in Bangladesh,

In a blog post analysing the crisis, Choudhry argued that the unrest cannot be explained solely by reactions to international events. He said the intensity of the protests also reflects long-standing political grievances among residents of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Although restrictions have now been partially eased, the situation in the region remains tense. Daily wage labourers have been among the worst affected, as many rely on day-to-day earnings to support their families. During the strict curfew, residents expressed frustration over the closure of markets and the difficulty in accessing essential supplies.

Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP) marked International Women's Day by demanding the enforcement of constitutional rights for minority girls. The group highlighted the abduction and forced conversion of Areeba Asif Masih, urging Pakistani authorities to implement child protection laws and ensure the safe recovery of all missing girls.