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Gilgit-Baltistan has been witnessing protests for months now, with people from all political, religious, and social organizations demonstrating against the government’s decision to increase the wheat price and end subsidies, as reported by Dawn. The price of subsidized wheat was raised by the Gilgit-Baltistan government from Rs20 per kg to Rs36 per kg.
Despite the cold, locals are fiercely opposed to the government’s decision to stop providing the wheat subsidy, and they are calling for their basic rights. The protests have been region-wide and represent the struggle for autonomy, going beyond a simple demonstration over basic requirements.
On Saturday, motorbike rallies with hundreds of participants surged from Hunza district and Ghizer, converging in Gilgit for a central protest at Ittehad Chowk. Commerce came to a halt with suspended shops, businesses, and eateries, while inter-district and inter-provincial transportation ceased, causing hardships for GB residents travelling elsewhere.
15 demands of protesters
According to The Dawn report, protesters sit-in at Yadgar-i-Shuhada Skardu continued for the 24th day, with speakers affirming that the protest would persist until their 15-point demands were met.
- Keep the wheat subsidy for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan at the 2022 price and provide 10 kg of wheat per fur per month.
- Cancel the Gilgit-Baltistan Finance Act 2023 and remove all taxes in Gilgit-Baltistan.
- The Gilgit-Baltistan government should increase electricity production and end the artificial electricity crisis.
- The Gilgit-Baltistan government should get the financial budget of Gilgit-Baltistan through a financial agreement with the federal government, similar to the NFC.
- Declare all uninhabited and barren lands as 100% public property through Gilgit-Baltistan Reformzeal.
- Replace the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly with a Constituent Assembly.
- Give 80% royalty in Net Hydel Profits and Water User Rights of Diamer Bhasha Dam to Gilgit Baltistan and provide free electricity from Diamer Bhasha Dam.
- Cancel all mining leases given to non-locals and lease them to local people instead.
- Give industry status to hotels and transport related to tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan.
- Improve the infrastructure in Gilgit-Baltistan as soon as possible to promote tourism and provide better travel facilities to tourists.
- Establish medical and engineering colleges in Gilgit-Baltistan.
- Establish a Women’s University in Gilgit-Baltistan.
- Restore the ancient highways and roads of Gilgit-Baltistan immediately.
- Divide PSDP projects into different parts and give contracts to the local contracting community of Gilgit-Baltistan for poverty eradication.
- Award the wheat supply contract to the provincial organization NATCO instead of other organizations to avoid losses.
Even though it’s very cold, the people of GB are determined to keep protesting. Ghulam Abbas Athar, the President of Anjuman-e-Tajeran Skardu, is disappointed with the GB government for not taking their problems seriously.
Govt unresponsive to wheat price issue
Gilgit-Baltistan, a region under the direct administration of the federal government of Pakistan, is currently witnessing a wave of protests. The region is governed by a council headed by the Prime Minister, with a state legislature elected with limited powers.
The government’s decision to end subsidies has been met with fierce opposition from the locals. Political organizations have threatened the government with a shutdown strike if their demands are not met soon.
The ongoing protests in Gilgit-Baltistan represent more than just a demonstration over basic requirements. They symbolize the struggle for autonomy and the demand for the restoration of the wheat subsidy. Despite the unrest, the government has not shown interest in lowering the wheat prices.
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