Sandhi occupants demand basic facilities
Sultanabad
Residents of Sandhi village in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit Baltistan's Sultanabad district staged a protest demanding better basic services and internet access. The peaceful demonstration aimed to draw attention to the lack of infrastructure in their area, particularly the absence of 3G or 4G networks. One protester highlighted the digital gap, saying, While the world uses advanced networks for education, we are left behind. They urged the government to address this issue, with one resident warning, If the problem isn't solved, our protest will grow.
The community also voiced concerns about the lack of essential services, including roads, schools, and healthcare facilities. Frustrated by their living conditions, they vowed to escalate their protests if necessary. We will continue protesting until our demands are met, one resident said. They also threatened to rally outside political party offices as elections approach.
Previously, similar issues with poor internet access and frequent outages had affected Gojal Valley in the Hunza region. These connectivity problems have disrupted daily life and hindered children’s education. Local authorities have yet to respond to the Sandhi residents' demands, but the villagers have made it clear they will continue to fight for their basic rights until real change is seen.