THE wheat subsidy in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) was introduced in the 1970s given the region’s high poverty index, lack of industry and significant agricultural land. The federal government subsidises the supply of 1.6 million sacks of wheat in GB. The quota has now been reduced, and a price hike is said to be in the cards, which is having a direct impact on the local people.

Various demonstrations have been held recently across GB against these developments, including a road-block in Zulfiqarabad (pictured above), but to no avail. The finance minister has apparently told the GB administration that under the new deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), no subsidy could be granted.

With a population of 1.5 million spread over 10 districts, GB has no job opportunities, industry, infrastructure, fund allocations and other facilities that the rest of the country enjoys. Such an approach is mainly owing to the narrative that giving fundamental rights to GB and its people would weaken the Kashmir cause.

If that is so, GB people should be given all the constitutional rights and funds under the status of a provisional province as recommended by the United Nations itself. This will most certainly take care of such apprehensions.

The experts have warned that GB is at a high risk of food insecurity and may soon become one of the most food-insecure regions of the world.

The government should weigh the ramifications of depriving the region of its rights and take remedial measures, for it is still not too late.

Zahid Ali Zohri
Nagar, GB

GIRLS’ EDUCATION: This is with reference to the editorial ‘PM on education’ (Dec 22), which reminded me of a book I had read many years ago, Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortison, which praised the hospitality of the people of northern areas of Pakistan. The author wanted to pay back by providing them access to modern education, and the people were keen to have their

children educated, especially their daughters, as there was a dire need of women doctors in the area. Those against girls’ education are indeed in minority.

Bushra Siddiqi
Karachi

CIVIC NEGLIGENCE: An explosion of gas pipeline resulted in the death of 17 people in Shershah Colony in Karachi recently. The gas pipeline was under a nullah, which had not been cleaned for a long time. To add to the woes, structures had been allowed over the dangerous nullah. The civic negligence needs to be blamed for the tragic incident. Had the nullah been cleaned, the explosion perhaps would not have taken place.

Waseem Ahmed
Hub

MENTORSHIP SKILLS: Teachers invest time and effort way beyond their job description to help bridge the learning gap. I am a mentor at an incubation centre, dealing with start-up ideas presented by students, faculty members and others. Back in 2019, as part of a project, I met several start-up team leaders and helped them with various stages which actually was great self-learning for me.

Furqan Hyder Shaikh
Jamshoro

KARACHI ZOO: There have been pictures of late on various social media platforms of starving animals living in a horrible state inside Karachi zoo. The government apparently gives ample funds for the care of the animals. Obviously, all this money is being spent on something else. It is cruel to keep these animals in such a terrible condition. The zoo should be shut down and the animals be handed over to some sanctuary abroad.

L. Karim
Karachi

Published in Dawn, January 1st, 2022