GILGIT: The protest sit-in continued here for the 32 consecutive day on Sunday demanding fulfillment of demands, including financial and political autonomy to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.

The protesters announced to continue their sit-in till fulfillment of their demands, and sought a guarantee from the government that it would not increase the subsidised rate of wheat.

The GB government recently issued anotification for the restoration of subsidised wheat price from Rs36 per kg to Rs20 per kg after massive protest demonstrations, strikes and sit-ins across the region called by GB Awami Action Committee (ACC), an alliance of political and religious parties.

The GB chief minister also formed a six- member cabinet committee to talk to the stakeholders to resolve the issue; however, rejecting the notification the ACC announced to continue their protest till fulfillment of all 15 points of the charter of demands, including political and financial autonomy, share of GB in NFC award, and the empowerment of the GB assembly.

The AAC demanded the restoration of the subsidised wheat price at the 2022 level, suspension of the Finance Act 2022, withdrawal of various taxes, ensuring GB’s share in the NFC award, and the provision of land ownership rights to locals. It also demanded that all leases granted to outsiders for exploration of minerals be cancelled, 80 per cent royalty of Diamer-Bhasha Dam under net hydel profit be given to GB people, ownership of barren lands to local people, electricity supply to GB residents be ensured, the 22-hour power outage be ended, medical and engineering colleges in the region be established, and traditional routes in GB be restored.

According to the ACC, the protest in Skardu and other areas have been postponed for the time being; however, people continue the protest sit-in at Etihad Chowk Gilgit.

On Sunday, the protest sit-in continued at Etihad Chowk Gilgit, where people from various districts participated in a large number. Protest rallies from nearby areas such as Nomal, Naltar, Rahimabad and Sultanabad joined the sit-in.

The protesters chanted slogans against the government and in favour of their demands and vowed to continue their protest to getting their basic demands.

They said more rallies from Jutal, Bagrot and other areas will join the protest sit-in today (Monday).

They said despite zero temperature people had been protesting for their constitutional and legal demands, adding they would call off the protest after fulfillment of their demands.

Ehsan Ali advocate, the chief organiser of theACC, said the GB government was not serious in resolving the issues.

He said they were ready to negotiate withempowered cabinet members or a committee but not with people without mandate.

He said the GB government can fulfill the demands through a notification, like suspension of GB Finance Act 2022, land reforms process and other issues.

Published in Dawn, February 5th, 2024