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PAKISTAN: Seven members of the Gilgit-Baltistan Awami Action Co­m­m­­ittee (AAC) have been arbitrarily detained for over 45 days under Pakistan’s anti-terrorism law, solely for peacefully exercising their rights to assembly and expression. The charges stem from allegations that 13 AAC members made “anti-state” speeches during an Iftar dinner on 8 March and made plans to arrange a protest, all rights guaranteed under international human rights law. Among those detained is 70-year-old lawyer and AAC chairperson Ehsan Ali, whose continued detention has raised grave concerns regarding his right to life and due process. Despite applications filed by his lawyers requesting hospitalization, Ehsan was denied appropriate medical care until his condition drastically worsened. He was transferred to the hospital only after developing pneumonia and losing consciousness while in police custody. Ehsan has been under police guard at District Head quarter Hospital Gilgit along with two other AAC activists, Ibrar Bahoro and Hasnain Ramal. His lawyers have raised concerns that given his underlying heart condition and current health, the care being provided at the current medical facility is inadequate. In addition, other ACC activists named in the case have been forced to curtail their right to freedom of movement, association, peaceful assembly and freedom of expression out of fear of arrest and remain unable to campaign for the upcoming elections in Gilgit-Baltistan on 7 June 2026. Amnesty International calls on the Pakistani authorities to immediately release all detained AAC activists and drop all charges against them related to their peaceful activism. Pending release, the authorities must ensure that immediate access to adequate healthcare is provided to all detainees. Arbitrary detentions of ACC members must not be used to curtail the rights guaranteed under international human rights law, including in the lead up to, during and after the elections in Gilgit-Baltistan.