Pakistan Altering Demography of Gilgit-Baltistan, India Must Raise the Issue, Say Provincial Leaders

Demographic changes effected by Pakistan have reduced the Shia population share in Gilgit-Baltistan to 50%, compared to 80% in 1948, and India must highlight the human rights issues in the region at international forums, multiple sources in Gilgit-Baltistan told News18 on Monday. There were reports of sectarian tensions in Gilgit-Baltistan, which has a history of rivalry between the Sunni and Shia Muslims, forcing authorities last week to indefinitely suspend mobile internet services. The situation turned particularly tense on Friday when protests were held in the Gilgit city and surrounding areas on the call of a Shia group, hours after a…