Leading members of the Awami Action Committee in the Pakistan-administered region of Gilgit-Baltistan have been arrested. They are being held in appalling conditions, on trumped-up charges. Their crime? Standing up for working people and resisting the plunder of their lands! The Revolutionary Communist International is running a global campaign to secure the comrades’ release – and we need your help!
RCI comrades and supporters have been protesting outside of Pakistani embassies, high commissions and consulates; and collecting signatures from prominent political figures, including politicians, famous activists and leading trade unionists. Watch the video below to get up to speed on the progress of the campaign so far…
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This campaign must escalate! We will not rest until all of our unjustly imprisoned comrades have been safely returned! But for this campaign to succeed, we require the maximum possible solidarity and pressure.
We therefore invite our readers to take the following steps to help secure our comrades’ release:
- WRITE to politicians, individual trade union/student union leaders, activists and public figures, and ask them to support our campaign! There is a list of prominent supporters here. Please let us know of any responses at aacgb-solidarity@marxist.com.
- CONTACT your Pakistani embassy/consulate/high commission, either individually or on behalf of a trade union/student union/political organisation. Please let us know of any responses at aacgb-solidarity@marxist.com. You can find a model letter here.
- PASS A MOTION in your trade union/student union and let us know at aacgb-solidarity@marxist.com. You can find a model motion text here.
- GET IN TOUCH with your nearest RCI group and join our protests outside of Pakistani embassies, consulates and high commissions!
The situation so far
Gilgit-Baltistan is an administrative region of Pakistan. Corruption, exploitation and theft have left it in an extreme state of poverty and underdevelopment, although the territory is abundant in natural resources, particularly mineral wealth and water.
The administrative regime continually loots Gilgit-Baltistan on behalf of its masters in Islamabad. Locals are deprived of their livelihoods and lands, and the vibrant local ecosystem has been wrecked.
Ehsan Ali (from the Inqalabi Communist Party) set up an Awami Action Committee (a form of community defence organisation) in Gilgit-Baltistan in 2014.
The AAC-GB has fought tirelessly on behalf of ordinary people for over a decade, campaigning for democratic rights, for the maintenance of subsidies on basic goods like wheat flour and for the provision of basic health and education facilities for the people of the region. The AAC-GB has also resisted the environmental destruction inflicted on the territory through intense capitalist exploitation.
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Last year, after a successful mass movement concluded in February, the government of Gilgit-Baltistan, under the dictates of Islamabad, put Ali on the Fourth Schedule: an anti-terrorism measure that placed him under continuous surveillance by the authorities. But that didn’t stop his political activity.
In February 2024, tens of thousands mobilised from all across Gilgit-Baltistan for a successful sit-in in Gilgit city, led by the Awami Action Committee under the leadership of Ehsan Ali. They presented demands for restoring a subsidy on wheat flour, along with demands for employment, healthcare and education.
Then, in April 2025, a movement erupted in Diamer District, in which thousands of people affected by the construction of a huge dam protested for compensation payments. Ehsan Ali was invited as the guest speaker at the protestors’ main rally. The government was later forced to partially accept the demands of the movement.
The last straw was a planned mass meeting called for 24-25 May, to continue the movement for rights promised but not delivered by the government, as well as against the land reforms bill presented in the Gilgit-Baltistan assembly, which would open the region to further looting.
On 15 May, a wave of arrests was launched targeting leaders of the AAC-GB with the intention of decapitating the organisation. In total, 11 have been taken into custody so far. All are being tried under anti-terror laws and have consequently been denied bail.
A number of other prominent members of the Awami Action Committee have not been taken into custody, but have been placed under surveillance and had their movements restricted.
The comrades face torture and abuse in prison. Ehsan Ali, who is in his 60s, is in a very bad physical state. He was moved briefly to a hospital, but was then returned to jail after refusing to sign a statement proclaiming loyalty to Pakistan and condemning the other arrested leaders.
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Our campaign presents the following demands:
- The immediate release of Ehsan Ali and all members of AAC-GB.
- That the fabricated case brought against them be quashed.
- The immediate removal of Ehsan Ali’s name from the Fourth Schedule.
- That his right to free movement be immediately restored.
- An end to all restrictions on his political activities.
- That all the demands of the AAC-GB be accepted immediately.
Prominent campaign supporters (individuals and groups)
Austria
Selma Schacht, Chamber of Labour Councillor
Nadir Aykut, Chamber of Labour Councillor
Elisabeth Sahan, Chamber of Labour Councillor
Sarah Ott, works council member at LOK
Martin Gutlederer, Staff Representative – Ottakring Clinic; Delegate to the Younion State Conference
Lisa Auer, Staff Representative – Ottakring Clinic; Delegate to the Younion State Conference
Paul Höllhumer, Staff Representative – Ottakring Clinic
Johannes Wölflingseder, Chairman of the Works Council – BHS Vienna; Chairman of Region 1 Vida Vienna
Patrick Kaiser, Staff Representative – Floridsdorf Clinic; State Chairman of GLB Vienna
Zenon Khayat, Works Council Member at Thalia Vienna
Martin Zuba, Works Council Member at Gesundheit Österreich GmbH
Markus Haunschmid, staff representative of the compulsory school sector in the Vienna West 4 departmental committee
Kommunistische Gewerkschaftsinitiative (KOMintern)
Kommunistische Jugend Österreich (KJÖ)
Belgium
Roland Vanderbeke, ACOD Oostende
Yves Brusseel, former chairperson of ACOD VDAB
Abdellah, militant of Socialist Metal Workers Union
Paulette Vermeersch, ACOD Council Workers Union of Antwerpen
Hilde Willaert, chairperson, socialist teachers union Oost-Vlaanderen
André Gonsalis, former chairman socialist public service union Veurne
Brazil
Glauber Brauga, MP for PSOL
Union of Municipal Employees of Joinville-SC
Water and Sewage workers of Joinville
Univille Students’ Union
Denmark
Jan Hoby, Vice Chairman, National Association of Social Educators
France
Secours Rouge
Syndicat UNL
Les Jeunes de l’APRÈS
Germany
Ferat Koçak, Die Linke, MdB
Greece
Konstantinos Papadakis, Lawyer; former Athens City Councillor; former Member of the Board of the Athens Bar Association; Civil Action Counsel in the Golden Dawn trial
Eftyhia Papalouka, Deputy Mayor, Municipality of Nea Filadelfeia, Nea Chalkidona
Grigoris Kalomoiris, President of the Panhellenic Union of Retired Educators
Evangelos Kitsonis, President of the Panhellenic Union of ICAP Employees
Ilias Stavrianos, President of the Panhellenic Union of Vantage Towers Employees
Dimitrios Chatzistelios, Secretary of the Board of the Panhellenic Union of Vodafone, Panafon Employees
Matthaios Velogiannis, Board Member of the Panhellenic Union of Research and Higher Education Employees (SERETE)
Alexandros Sarantos, Deputy Secretary in the Board of the DEH Pensioners Association of Megalopolis; Board Member, Panhellenic Federation of DEH Pensioners (POS/DEI)
Orestis Doulos, Board Member of Panhellenic Union of Vantage Towers Employees
Anastasia Stavropoulou, Board Member of the Athens Bar Association (Alternative Intervention, Legal Overthrow)
Giorgos Ortantzoglou, President of the Employees Union of the Municipality of Filadelfeia, Chalkidona
Anastasia Matsouka, Board Member of the Athens Bar Association (Alternative Intervention, Legal Overthrow)
Yannis Xydis, Member of the Political Secretariat of MeRA25
Vasilis Kafantaris, Member of the General Council of OELMEK (Cyprus)
Giorgos Lechouritis, Member of the Scientific Committee of the Union of Prevention Workers
Thanasis Kampagiannis, Lawyer, former Member of the Board of the Athens Bar Association
Giorgos Souvaliotis, Member of the Board of the Union of Salaried Engineers (Patras Branch)
Yiannos Giannopoulos, Former Member of the Executive Committee of the Technical Chamber of Greece (TEE); Member of the Union of Salaried Engineers
Dimitra Rompoti, Lawyer (Athens); Member of the Union of Salaried Lawyers; former Member of the Board of the Athens Labour Centre
Dinos Palaistidis, Trade unionist from the Union of Book, Paper, Digital Media Employees of Attica (ΣΥΒΧΨΑ)
Eugenia Kouniaki, Lawyer; former Member of the Board of the Athens Bar Association with the Alternative Intervention, Legal Uprising
Angeliki Serafeim, Lawyer; former Member of the Board of the Athens Bar Association with the Alternative Intervention, Legal Uprising
Giorgis Vlachos, Lawyer; former Member of the Board of the Athens Bar Association with the Alternative Intervention, Legal Uprising
Theodoros Symeonidis, Lawyer; former Member of the Board of the Athens Bar Association with the Alternative Intervention, Legal Uprising
Taxiarchis Sarantopoulos, Lawyer (Athens)
Evangelos Trimponias, Lawyer (Athens)
Vangelis K Giosmas, Lawyer (Athens)
Patrikios Patrikounakos, Lawyer (Athens)
Georgia Palaiologou, Lawyer (Athens)
Sofia Chani, Lawyer (Athens)
Kostas Mouchlianitis, Lawyer (Athens)
Italy
Slavoj Zizek, philosopher and essayist
Senator Stefano Patuanelli, leader of the Five Star Movement
Franco Bavila, editor of the magazine Rivoluzione
Mario Iavazzi, General Assembly of the National Confederation of Labour (CGIL)
Paolo Brini, General Assembly of the National Confederation of Labour (FIOM CGIL)
Domenico Loffredo, General Assembly of the National Confederation of Labour (FIOM CGIL)
Antonio Forlano, General Assembly of the National Confederation of Labour (FILT CGIL)
Paolo Grassi, General Assembly of Nidil CGIL National
Gianplacido Ottaviano, Rsu Fiom CGIL Bonfiglioli BO
Francesca Esposito, Atm Milan General Assembly of CGIL Milan
Vincenzo Chianese, Rsu Fiom CGIL Prima Components Gricignano d’Aversa Caserta
Tomaso Perani, Rsu State University General Assembly of FLC-CGIL Milan
Angelo Raimondi, Rsu Filcams CGIL Esselunga Corbetta-Milan
Jeisson Zuniga Rsa, Filt CGIL Transport & Warehouses Ups Milan Shipyard
Pedro Calderon, Filt CGIL Idealpartner Ups Milan Shipyard
Irene Forno Rsu, Flc CGIL Milan School
Sergio Schneider, Rsu Flc-CGIL Milan School
Elena Ricci, RSU FP-CGIL Redaelli Institute Milan
Daniele Chiavelli, RSU Flc CGIL School Mantua
Ferdinando De Marco, RSU Fiom CGIL Ersistemi Parma
Filippo Agazzi, RSU Fiom CGIL Gpi Parma
Nensi Castro, RSA Filcams CGIL Cna Reggio Emilia
Matteo Parlati Ferrari Maranello, General Assembly Fiom-CGIL Modena
Giuseppe Violante, RSA Maserati General Assembly FIOM-CGIL Modena
Giuseppe Faillace, RSU Motovario General Assembly FIOM-CGIL Modena
Simona Leri, RSU Coop Alleanza 30 General Assembly FILCAMS CGIL Modena
Carletto Vezzali, RSU FLAI CGIL Global Carni Modena
Raffaele Signoriello, RSU FIOM CGIL Otis Bologna
Luca Lanzi, RSU Fiom CGIL Manitou Modena
Concetta VentrellI, RSU Motovario General Assembly Fiom CGIL Modena
Ilic Vezzosi, Flc CGIL Bologna
Ivan Serra, RSU Fiom CGIL Rcm Bologna
Salvatore Veltri, RSU Fp CGIL Rizzoli Institute Bologna
Anna Venezia, RSU Fp CGIL Rizzoli Institute Bologna
Antonio Maccariello, RSU FIOM CGIL Bonfiglioli Riduttori Bologna
Serafino Pirillo, RSU FIOM CGIL Bonfiglioli Riduttori Bologna
Valentino Paoloni, RSU FP CGIL Asc Insieme Bologna
Domenico Minadeo, RSU FIOM CGIL Metaltarghe Bologna
Davide Bacchelli, RSU FIOM Ima Bologna
Ivan Serra, RSU Fiom CGIL RCM Bologna
Fabio Pavone, RSU FP CGIL AOSP Sant’Orsola Malpighi
Nico Maman General Secretary, FP CGIL Bologna
Loredana Donnici, Committee of Members FP CGIL IOR Bologna
Giuseppe Gomini, RSU Fiom CGIL Ducati Bologna
Gemma Giusti, General Secretary FP CGIL Bologna
Salvatore Mercogliano, Flc CGIL Pistoia
Diego Sabelli, Rsu Fiom CGIL Elt Rome
Arianna Mancini, Asl Rome 2 Fp CGIL Rome
Gabriele D’angeli, Flc CGIL Rome South
Marco Carletti, Rsa Fisac CGIL Bff Bank Rome
Lorenzo Esposito, RSU Fisac CGIL Bank of Italy Milan
Francesco Favalli, RSU Flc-CGIL School Cremona
Franco Ferrara, Executive Committee of SPI CGIL Lega Bassa Valbisagno Genoa
Fabio Guerrini, Student Association Marxist Study Group, University of Milan
Kevin Marocchi, Student Association Alziamo la testa, Sapienza University of Rome
Carolina Botnaru, Student Association Rosa Luxemburg, University of Trieste
Raffaella Lanzaro Marxist Collective, University of Bologna
Claudia Caiazzo Karl Marx Collective, University of Modena
Noemi Giardiello National Youth Coordinator, PCR
Alessio Bolt Youth Coordinator, PCR Naples
Michele Ricco Youth Coordinator, PCR Varese
Davide Gallerani Youth Coordinator, PCR Parma
Massimiliano Vetró Youth Coordinator, PCR Turin
Ireland
Paul Murphy, People Before Profit–Solidarity, Teachta Dála for Dublin South-West
Madeleine Johansson, People Before Profit Councillor for Palmerstown-Fonthill LEA, South Dublin County Council
Pakistan
Ikhlaq Ahmed, President Karachi Electric Workers’ Union
Karachi Bar Association of Lawyers
General Tyre Workers’ Union
Malir Bar Association of Lawyers, Karachi
Balochistan, Labour Federation (around 40 unions affiliated)
Balochistan Grand Alliance of Unions
Mining Workers’ Union of Balochistan
United Workers’ Federation of Balochistan
Awami Action Committee of Azad Kashmir
Poonch District Bar Association of Lawyers in Azad Kashmir
South Africa
Workers and Socialist Party and Socialist Youth Movement, South Africa
Sweden
Claudia Velasquez, member of the Municipal Council of Helsingborg, Sweden for the Left Party (Vänsterpartiet)
Taiwan
Zhu Meixue (朱梅雪), former president of Taoyuan Confederation of Trade Unions
Brian Hioe (丘琦欣), editor of New Bloom magazine
Xie Dongpo (謝東坡), editor of The Spark website
USA
Chris Smalls, Amazon Labour Union
United Kingdom
Fiona Lali, RCP Campaigns Coordinator, Parliamentary Candidate for Stratford and Bow
Ian Hodson, National President BFAWU
John McInally, former vice-president, PCS (Public and Commercial Services Union)
Pamela Fitzpatrick, former Independent Parliamentary Candidate for Harrow West 2024, and Leader of the Arise Political Party
Venezuela
Miguel Angel Hernandez, leader of the Socialism and Liberty Party (PSL Venezuela)
Model letter for embassies/high commissions/consulates:
[Date]
His/Her Excellency [Name]
High Commissioner/Ambassador of Pakistan
[Address of Pakistani Mission]
[City, Country]
Your Excellency,
Re: Urgent Appeal for the Release of Detained Leaders of Awaami Action Committee Gilgit-Baltistan
We, on behalf of [your organisation], write to express our grave concern regarding the recent arrest and detention of prominent leaders of the Awaami Action Committee – Gilgit-Baltistan (AAC-GB) by Pakistani authorities.
Details of Concern
On 16 May, Pakistani police arrested several leading figures, including:
- Advocate Ehsan Ali, Chairman of AAC-GB and advocate.
- Waheed Hassan, Media Officer of AAC-GB.
- Mehboob Wali, Vice Chairman of AAC-GB.
- Asghar Shah, Chairman of AAC-GB Youth Wing.
- Masood Ur Rehman and other committee leaders.
These individuals have been charged with “disturbing public order” following peaceful protests against restrictions on their democratic right to organise and travel freely within Pakistan.
Background to These Arrests
The detained leaders were planning a legitimate political meeting scheduled for 24-25 May in Skardu to address issues of vital importance to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, including:
- The proposed minerals bill affecting natural resource ownership.
- Access to basic necessities, including flour subsidies.
- Provision of electricity, healthcare, and education services.
Mr Ehsan Ali has been subjected to continuous harassment by state authorities, including placement on the so-called “Fourth Schedule” – legislation that severely restricts freedom of movement, which was originally designed for monitoring suspected terrorists. This represents a gross misuse of anti-terrorism legislation against legitimate political organisers.
Democratic Rights and International Standards
The AAC-GB has operated peacefully and successfully within democratic frameworks, achieving significant victories for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan:
- Securing flour subsidies for communities facing food insecurity.
- Negotiating improved access to electricity and essential services.
- Advocating for healthcare and educational provision in underserved areas.
These activities represent legitimate political organising and advocacy that should be protected under Pakistani law and international human rights standards, including:
- The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (to which Pakistan is a signatory).
- The Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
- Pakistan’s own constitutional guarantees of freedom of assembly and expression.
Campaign Demands
In light of the above, we supporters of the solidarity campaign for the AAC-GB respectfully demand:
- Immediate and unconditional release of all detained AAC-GB leaders and activists.
- Dropping of all charges against the detained individuals, which appear to be politically motivated
- Removal of Ehsan Ali’s name from the Fourth Schedule and restoration of his full rights to freedom of movement and political activity.
- End to harassment and surveillance of AAC-GB members and supporters.
- Respect for democratic rights, including freedom of assembly, expression, and political organisation in Gilgit-Baltistan.
- Implementation of the fourteen-point charter of demands previously agreed to by the Gilgit-Baltistan government.
International Attention
We wish to inform you that this case has attracted (and is still attracting) significant international attention from:
- Trade union organisations across multiple countries.
- Student movements and civil society groups.
- Human rights organisations.
- Parliamentary representatives and elected officials.
- The continued detention of these leaders damages Pakistan’s international reputation and undermines its commitment to democratic governance and human rights.
Request for Action
We call upon you to:
- Convey these concerns urgently to the relevant authorities in Islamabad.
- Use your diplomatic influence to secure the immediate release of the detained individuals
- Provide us with an update on actions taken to address this situation.
- Facilitate dialogue between the Pakistani government and AAC-GB representatives.
In Short
The people of Gilgit-Baltistan deserve the same democratic rights and freedoms enjoyed by all Pakistani citizens. The criminalisation of peaceful political organising sets a dangerous precedent and undermines Pakistan’s democratic institutions.
We look forward to your urgent intervention in this matter and to receiving confirmation of steps taken to secure the release of these dedicated community leaders.
The international labour movement stands in solidarity with our comrades in Gilgit-Baltistan, and we will continue to monitor this situation closely.
Yours respectfully,
[Signature]
[Name and Title]
[Organisation]
[Contact Details]
CC:
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan (spokesperson.office1@mofa.gov.pk)
Minister of Interior, Pakistan (dslaw2@interior.gov.pk)
Chief Minister, Gilgit-Baltistan (info@gilgitbaltistan.gov.pk)
[Local MPs/Parliamentary Representatives]
contact@pakistansolidarity.org
Model Motion: Solidarity with Arrested Leaders of Awaami Action Committee Gilgit-Baltistan
This [Union/Student Union] notes with grave concern:
- The arrest and detention of leading members of the Awaami Action Committee – Gilgit-Baltistan (AAC-GB), including chairman Ehsan Ali, media officer Waheed Hassan, vice chairman Mehboob Wali, and youth wing chairman Asghar Shah.
- That these comrades have been charged with “disturbing public order” for peacefully protesting restrictions on their democratic right to organise.
- That Ehsan Ali has been placed on Pakistan’s notorious “Fourth Schedule” – legislation originally designed for monitoring terrorists – severely restricting his freedom of movement.
- That these arrests occurred as the AAC-GB planned a meeting to address the ownership of natural resources in Gilgit-Baltistan.
- That the AAC-GB has successfully organised mass movements which have secured vital concessions on flour subsidies, electricity provision, healthcare, and education for communities living in extreme poverty.
This [Union/Student Union] believes:
- These arrests represent a clear attack on democratic rights and trade union organising.
- The criminalisation of peaceful political activity sets a dangerous precedent for workers’ movements globally.
- International solidarity is essential to defend the right to organise against exploitation and oppression.
- The struggle of workers in Gilgit-Baltistan against poverty and resource extraction is part of the broader international working-class movement.
This [Union/Student Union] resolves to:
- Condemn the politically motivated arrests and demand the immediate and unconditional release of all detained AAC-GB leaders and activists.
- Call for the removal of Ehsan Ali’s name from the Fourth Schedule and the restoration of his full democratic rights.
- Write to the Pakistani High Commissioners and Ambassadors in various Pakistani embassies demanding the release of all arrested comrades and an end to state repression in Gilgit-Baltistan.
- Encourage members to participate in solidarity demonstrations and protests organised in support of the AAC-GB in front of Pakistani high commissions, embassies and consulates.
- Share information about this case through union/organisation communications, social media, and educational materials.
- Affiliate to future solidarity campaigns and maintain ongoing support for democratic movements in Pakistan.
This [Union/Student Union] commits to:
- Monitoring developments in this case and taking further action as required.
- Building links with international trade union organisations to coordinate solidarity efforts.
- Raising awareness of the broader struggle against imperialism and for workers’ rights in South Asia.
- Supporting similar movements facing state repression globally.
“An injury to one is an injury to all”
Proposed by: [Name]Seconded by: [Name]Date: [Date]
