The protest in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan against wheat price hike and cancellation of subsidies has entered its fourth day,according to Pakistani local media reported.
On Friday, people continued to demonstrate against the wheat price hike at Yadgar Chowk, and a large rally took place at Jamia Masjid Skardu, despite the harsh cold weather conditions in Skardu.
Additionally, protests were held in Ganche Shigar and Kharmung. Anjuman Tajran Roundu also expressed their discontent by protesting against the increased wheat prices and announced the closure of Shahrah Baltistan as a means to pressure the authorities into meeting their demands.
During the meeting, Ghulam Hussain Athar, the head of the All-Party Alliance, disclosed that they had received a message offering a PKR 15 billion package to Baltistan in exchange for withdrawing from the wheat movement.
Athar emphasized that they should be given PKR 4.5 billion instead, as the talks of fifteen billion rupees were merely an attempt to deceive them. Athar further stated, “We are being presented with various offers, including attractive incentives, to abandon the wheat movement. However, we have never compromised before, and we will not compromise now. This issue affects all of us.”
In another protest organized by the Awami Action Committee Yasin Valley, demonstrators gathered outside the AC Office Yasin at Yasin Khas Sub-Divisional Headquarters to express their opposition to the increased price of subsidized wheat.
The protesters denounced the provincial government’s decision to set the wheat price at Rs 3,600, considering it a harsh measure against the impoverished population.
Furthermore, the protestors criticized the members of the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly and the Chief Minister, claiming that they were unfit to represent the people. They also alleged that the Prime Minister and ministers were under the influence of Islamabad.
“The Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly is not a public spokesperson but a group of privileged classes,” accused the protestors. The protestors said that the protest will continue until the government withdraws the notification regarding wheat.