Gilgit-Baltistan Protests: Locals Demand Subsidy Restoration and Autonomy

Gilgit-Baltistan Protests: Locals Demand Subsidy Restoration and Autonomy

VoM News Desk | January 28, 2024 | 10:01 PM IST | Pakistan News, World | Follow on Google News

Gilgit-Baltistan Protests: Locals Demand Subsidy Restoration and Autonomy/X@harf_e-nagufta

Gilgit-Baltistan Protests: Locals Demand Subsidy Restoration and Autonomy

Everything in Gilgit-Baltistan remains at a standstill as locals enter the third consecutive day of protests, sparked by a major price hike on essential goods and services, including the restoration of the wheat subsidy. Demonstrations, reported by Dawn, have surged against Pakistan’s regime in various districts, paralyzing the region.

Deserted Roads and Ongoing Public Outcry

According to Dawn, massive protests have affected Astore, Diamer, Ghizer, Hunza, Nagar, Skardu, Shigar, Kharmang, and Ghanche. Main roads, such as the Karakoram Highway, Skardu Road, and Ghizer Road, continue to be deserted, impacting residents’ access to necessities. The ongoing public outcry, extending for over a month, has prompted the Awami Action Committee (ACC) to call for additional protests as part of Plan B.

Protestor Demands and Impactful Rallies

Protestors, numbering in the thousands, demand the restoration of the subsidised wheat rate from 2022, suspension of the Finance Act of 2022, and the revocation of various taxes. Additionally, they seek the return of land ownership rights to Gilgit-Baltistan locals. The protest’s charter of demands includes revoking leases granted to outsiders for mineral exploitation, allocating 80% royalty from Diamer-Bhasha Dam under net hydel profit to the region, ending electricity outages, and ensuring basic medical and educational facilities. Experts highlight the impactful nature of these rallies against the regime, emphasizing the need for authorities to address the 15 demands to end the protests.

VoM News Desk

VoM News is an online web portal in jammu Kashmir offers regional, National & global news.