ISLAMABAD: Gilgit Baltistan is plunged into a state of paralysis as an enduring protest against the surge in wheat prices reaches its 32nd day.
The Awami Action Committee has declared a complete shutter-down strike, mobilizing thousands to march towards Gilgit and Skardu, major cities, despite the harsh winter conditions.
While the protest gains momentum, the Governor, Chief Minister of Gilgit Baltistan, and the cabinet remain stationed in Islamabad, fueling frustration among the protesters. The inefficiencies of CM Haji Gulbar Khan’s regional government have stoked public anger, leading to demands for his resignation, attributed to a substantial increase in subsidized wheat prices.
Protesters hailing from Nagar, Hunza, and Ghizer have already reached Gilgit, with others en route to the provincial headquarters. Simultaneously, residents from various Baltistan districts are converging in Skardu, intensifying the 32-day protest.
The month-long protest has compelled the demonstrators to articulate a charter of demands directed at both regional and federal governments.
According to officials, efforts are in progress to address the financial burden on GB, with the federal government approving a quota of 150,000 MT for the current fiscal year. However, the demand for a complete rollback of the wheat price hike persists, escalating the intensity of protests.
In an attempt to break the deadlock with protesters, the federal government has sanctioned a shift to 100% local wheat supply, aiming to alleviate financial strain in GB. Despite this, the primary demand of reversing the recent price hike remains unmet, heightening tensions for regional and federal authorities.
Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan engages in discussions with Caretaker Federal Minister for National Food Security & Research, Dr. Kausar Abdullah Malik, regarding the supply of required wheat to GB while exploring plans to enhance GB’s agricultural potential.
Despite these efforts, the Awami Action Committee has announced the next phase of protests, including a complete shutter-down strike in Skardu and region-wide protests starting Friday. Protesters are not only seeking a reversal of the wheat price hike but also improved electricity supply and the repeal of the finance bill.
The issue was triggered when the GB government fixed the subsidized wheat price at Rs 36 per kilogram. Chief Minister Gulbar Khan asserts that this decision aims to stabilize wheat prices and ensure fair returns for local farmers.
While the region grapples with the delicate balance between economic sustainability and public welfare, the proposed solution emphasizes exclusive local wheat supply to GB. Challenges persist, highlighting the complexity of sustaining subsidies amidst fiscal constraints, prompting a nuanced approach for economic stability and public welfare in GB.
