The region's Home Department stated that the situation is, in fact, absolutely calm after rumors of the deteriorating law and order situation in Gilgit-Baltistan gained traction on social media platforms.
For more than a week, social media posts from the country’s northern area indicated turmoil and tensions, and the government may have blocked mobile internet access.
The Home Department also rejected "baseless" reports and rumors that the Pakistani Army was being deployed, which were making the rounds in the media.
However, Section 144 has been imposed across the province in order to uphold peace and order, safeguard the lives and property of the people, and prevent any unfortunate incidents.
According to the department, all trade and business centers, educational institutions, and communication routes are open as usual in Gilgit-Baltistan. The department also noted that the Pakistan Army and Civil Armed Forces have been enlisted to help maintain law and order during the Chehlum Imam Hussain (RA) and that additional special security measures have been implemented to protect imambargahs and procession routes.
Reports of the Gilgit Baltistan government's plan to use the army to maintain law and order in the area surfaced the day before.
The decision was taken during a meeting of the Parliamentary Peace Committee, which was presided over by Gilgit Baltistan Chief Minister Gulbar Khan. The decision to deploy Rangers, scouts, and Frontier Corps personnel in major cities was reportedly made in response to the alleged deteriorating situation of peace in the area.
In order to maintain peace in the region, the GB government banned "illegal gatherings" and the blocking of roadways, and large contingents of Rangers, scouts, and law enforcement were slated to be deployed in all major cities.
The GB chief minister warned severely against promoting hatred on social media and other channels.
Separately, Caretaker Federal Information Minister Murtaza Solangi on Sunday also refuted the reports of the army taking over. Taking to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, he termed all such reports as "misleading" and "fake" and sought to "set the record straight."
"Gilgit-Baltistan is experiencing peace and stability. Schools, colleges, markets, and roads are open, displaying a sense of normalcy. Peaceful protests do occur at times in reaction to some religious and sectarian concerns but the law and order situation is calm. No Army deployment has taken place and the Pakistan Army is prepared for community protection during the events like Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) in the coming week," he said, adding that Gilgit-Baltistan rmeains "a heaven of peace and harmony".
Amidst misleading social media narratives and fake news, let's set the record straight.
— Murtaza Solangi (@murtazasolangi) September 3, 2023
Gilgit-Baltistan is experiencing peace and stability. Schools, colleges, markets, and roads are open, displaying a sense of normalcy. Peaceful protests do occur at times in reaction to some…
He went on to share some video clips from Skardu and other parts ofGilgit-Baltistan from Sunday.
Gilgit today
— Murtaza Solangi (@murtazasolangi) September 3, 2023
آج کا گلگت pic.twitter.com/jZtEGikLF8
#Skardu today.
— Murtaza Solangi (@murtazasolangi) September 3, 2023
Locals and foreign tourists enjoying in Skardu.
The situation is peaceful and normal while the roads and destinations are open.#Beautiful #Gilgit_Baltistan pic.twitter.com/01aFVMohB3