Pakistan: Gilgit Baltistan witnesses protest over wheat subsidy

The rate of wheat, which was heavily subsidised for the region, has significantly increased over the past six months — first from Rs7.5 to Rs20 per kilogram in June and then recently to Rs52 per kg, reported Dawn News.

On Friday, demonstrations were held on the call of the Awami Action Committee (AAC), an alliance of political, regional and religious parties, in various areas of the GB’s 10 districts, the newspaper reported.

The main demonstration was held at Yadgar Chowk in Gilgit after the Friday prayer.

Members from various political groups, civil society organisations, trade unions, and transport and tourism sectors joined the demonstration.

They chanted slogans against both the Gilgit-Baltistan and federal governments.

Key AAC leaders, including Ehsan Ali Advocate, Fida Hussain, Baba Jan, Faizan Mir, Malik Aurangzeb, and Raja Mir Nawaz, denounced the government’s decision to raise the subsidised wheat rate to Rs52 per kg, reported Dawn News.