GB Protesters Block Roads in Gilgit Over Prolonged Power Outages and Water Shortage

Residents of Gilgit took to the streets on Monday as women staged a large protest against prolonged electricity outages and severe drinking water shortages in the Jutial area.

The demonstrators blocked the main road near the Gilgit-Baltistan Supreme Appellate Court, bringing traffic to a standstill and drawing attention to what they described as complete government failure in providing essential services.

Protesters also shut down Shahrah-i-Quaid-i-Azam, causing long queues of vehicles and major disruption across the city.

“No Electricity, No Water – How Are We Supposed to Live?”

Chanting slogans against the authorities, the women accused the government of neglecting basic human needs — electricity and clean drinking water.

A women’s representative told the gathering that residents of:

• Hussainabad Colony
• Yasin Colony
• Diamer Colony
• Netco Colony
• surrounding neighbourhoods

have been without regular water supply for over two weeks.

She added that water supply to upper Jutial had been completely suspended for several days, leaving families dependent on stored or purchased water.

Load-Shedding Worsens Water Crisis

Residents said that even when water becomes available in pipelines, up to 22 hours of daily load-shedding prevents pumps from operating.

Previously, households received water every couple of days to fill storage tanks. For the past 10 days, however, supply has stopped entirely.

“This is not a shortage — it is mismanagement,” one protester said.

Corruption and Poor Governance Blamed

Protesters openly blamed:

• corruption
• administrative failure
• years of unresolved power infrastructure issues

for the ongoing crisis.

Another demonstrator said successive governments had spent billions of rupees annually on electricity projects in Gilgit-Baltistan, yet ordinary residents continue to suffer from outages lasting almost the entire day.

Government Steps In After Road Blockade

Following hours of disruption, Gilgit-Baltistan Caretaker Home Minister Sajid Ali Baig arrived at the protest site along with district administration officials.

After negotiations, protesters agreed to disperse upon assurances that:

• water supply issues would be addressed urgently
• electricity outages would be reviewed

Traffic was restored after remaining suspended for several hours.

Students Also Protest Over Unpaid School Fees

Meanwhile, students from Pakistan Baitul Mal (PBM) Sweet Home staged a separate demonstration at Public Chowk in Gilgit.

The orphaned students said:

• their school fees had not been paid
• they were expelled from a private school
• authorities planned to shift them to a government institution without consultation

They accused PBM officials of denying their right to education.

Caretaker Home Minister Sajid Ali Baig visited the students as well and directed authorities to ensure a permanent resolution.

A Growing Crisis in Gilgit-Baltistan

The twin protests highlight worsening governance challenges in Gilgit-Baltistan:

Extreme power shortages
Unsafe and inconsistent water supply
Disruptions in education support programs

Residents warn that unless structural reforms are introduced, demonstrations will continue.