Shia Muslims protest against the Pak Army in Gilgit-Baltistan

• Shia Muslims wish to relocate to India

• Demanded to open the Kargil highway

New Delhi – Shia Muslims in Gilgit-Baltistan of the Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) are protesting against the Pakistan Army and the Sunni Muslim organisations. Shias have raised their voice against the Army for the first time in history. They are demanding to open the Kargil highway which connects to India as they do not wish to live in Gilgit-Baltistan. They wish to relocate to India.

8 lakh Shia Muslims of the total 20 lakh population here, are protesting. Consequently, the Pakistan Army has deployed 20 thousand additional soldiers in the region; also, the Internet services have been shut down.

The Shias have accused that after 1947, they were forcibly displaced from Gilgit-Baltistan. The Army deliberately settled Sunni Muslims in the region. As a result, the Shias have now become a minority in the earlier Shia-majority areas.