ISLAMABAD: Life in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) continues to reel from the ongoing protest, continued for consecutive 33rd day, against the recent hike in wheat prices.
The Awami Action Committee has declared a complete shutdown and mobilized thousands to march towards Gilgit and Skardu.
Despite harsh winter conditions, protesters from Nagar, Hunza, and Ghizer have reached Gilgit, with others en route.
Simultaneously, residents from other Baltistan districts are converging in Skardu to press their demand.
The federal government has taken steps in an attempt to break the deadlock with protesters. It has approved a quota of 150,000 MT of wheat for the current fiscal year and a shift to 100% local wheat supply.
But the primary demand for a complete rollback of the wheat price hike remained unmet, which has escalated the protest.
At the same time, the protesters have increased the list of demands by including improved electricity supply and the repeal of the finance bill.
On the other hand, the GB Governor, Chief Minister 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.
CM Khan has defended fixing subsidized wheat prices at Rs36 per kilogram. He stated the step aims at stabilizing wheat prices and ensure fair returns for local farmers.
Meanwhile, the GB CM is engaged in discussions with Caretaker Federal Minister for National Food Security & Research regarding the supply of required wheat to the region.
Despite these efforts, the AAC has announced its future like of action, including a complete shutdown strike in Skardu and region-wide protests.
