Leading members of the Aawami 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…

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:

1. 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.
2. CONTACT your Pakistani embassy/consulate/high commission, either individually or on behalf of a trade union/student union/political organization. Please let us know of any responses at aacgb-solidarity@marxist.com. You can find a model letter here.
3. 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.
4. 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.

Eshan Ali (from the Inqalabi Communist Party) set up an Awami Action Committee (a form of community defense organization) 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.

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 mobilized 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 May 24–25, 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 May 15, a wave of arrests was launched targeting leaders of the AAC-GB with the intention of decapitating the organization. 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. Eshan 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.

Our campaign presents the following demands:

1. The immediate release of Ehsan Ali and all members of AAC-GB.
2. That the fabricated case brought against them be quashed.
3. The immediate removal of Ehsan Ali’s name from the Fourth Schedule.
4. That his right to free movement be immediately restored.
5. An end to all restrictions on his political activities.
6. That all the demands of the AAC-GB be accepted immediately.

Prominent campaign supporters (individuals and groups)

Austria

Selma Schacht, Chamber of Labor Councillor

Nadir Aykut, Chamber of Labor Councillor

Elisabeth Sahan, Chamber of Labor 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 Labor 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 Labor (CGIL)

Paolo Brini, General Assembly of the National Confederation of Labor (FIOM CGIL)

Domenico Loffredo, General Assembly of the National Confederation of Labor (FIOM CGIL)

Antonio Forlano, General Assembly of the National Confederation of Labor (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, Labor 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

 

USA

Chris Smalls, Amazon Labor 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)

 

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 organization], 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 May 16, 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 organize and travel freely within Pakistan.

Background to These Arrests

The detained leaders were planning a legitimate political meeting scheduled for May 24–25 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 organizers.

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 organizing 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 organization 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 organizations across multiple countries.
• Student movements and civil society groups.
• Human rights organizations.
• 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 criminalization of peaceful political organizing 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 labor 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 organize.
• 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 organized 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 organizing.
• The criminalization of peaceful political activity sets a dangerous precedent for workers’ movements globally.
• International solidarity is essential to defend the right to organize 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:

1. Condemn the politically motivated arrests and demand the immediate and unconditional release of all detained AAC-GB leaders and activists.
2. Call for the removal of Ehsan Ali’s name from the Fourth Schedule and the restoration of his full democratic rights.
3. 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.
4. Encourage members to participate in solidarity demonstrations and protests organized in support of the AAC-GB in front of Pakistani high commissions, embassies, and consulates.
5. Share information about this case through union/organization communications, social media, and educational materials.
6. 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 organizations 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]