Gilgit Baltistan: Wheat subsidy protest representing struggle for autonomy

Jan 01, 2024

protesting for months now. All political, religious and social organisations are demonstrating against government’s decision to increase wheat prices and end subsidies. On the other hand, the Local government is saying that setting the price of wheat artificially low encouraged smuggling, hoarding, and black marketeering. Thus, in spite of pressure from the federal government for a significant increase, the Local government set reasonable prices after consulting stakeholders and giving priority to the public interest. Surprisingly, the government is claiming that the adjusted prices won’t burden the common man. The public's rage has grown even more as a result of the government's rationalisation for raising wheat prices. The locals are fiercely opposed to the government's decision to stop providing the wheat subsidy. Putting aside disagreements, the people in the area are calling for their basic rights. They want the wheat subsidy to be restored as quickly as possible. Threatening the government with a shutter down strike, political organisations are saying that if their demands are not met soon, they will start blocking the roads.