Gilgit, Feb. 27 -- Protests led by women over water shortages, prolonged electricity cuts and lack of basic services have drawn attention in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB), with human rights advocate and president of the Institute for Gilgit Baltistan Studies, Senge Sering, voicing support and alleging decades of systemic neglect in the region.

Sering said women in PoGB are increasingly coming forward to demand fundamental rights, including access to water, electricity and sanitation. Referring to a recent viral video from Gilgit city, he described how a woman protested against the absence of essential services in her locality.

According to him, the protester highlighted that the water supply in her area is limited to barely ...