GB Govt faces backlash over withdrawal of wheat subsidy

GILGIT: The Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan, is facing backlash from various stakeholders and the general public following its decision to “withdraw the wheat subsidy”.

In a joint press conference following the fifth cabinet meeting in Skardu on Friday, G-B ministers said that the cabinet decided that employees above grade 17 would no longer receive subsidized wheat.

However, it has been assured that the new pricing policy will not impact individuals with an income of less than Rs40,000. Despite this assurance, there has been a notable surge in the price of wheat, which is now set at PKR 52 per kilogram, effective from December 1st.

Following the decision, the united opposition of the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly held an emergency online meeting and discussed the overall situation in Gilgit-Baltistan and expressed severe concerns over bad governance.

The opposition categorically rejected the exorbitant increase in wheat prices and decided to launch a robust protest movement involving all stakeholders.

The opposition members stated that the current government had promised to resolve the wheat crisis and end the financial crisis in Gilgit-Baltistan but has now begun to shift the burden of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) onto the region.

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They said that until Gilgit-Baltistan is given constitutional status and a share in the NFC Award, the subsidy cannot be withdrawn. The GB opposition leaders warned that the current government would not be able to bear the burden of subsidy withdrawal and urged the federal government to resolve this issue before it leads to widespread public unrest.

Awami Action Committee, an alliance of around 23 religious, nationalist, and political groups, chairman Fida Hussain made a strong statement regarding the region’s rights and resources. He expressed that the mere provision of a Rs 10 billion subsidy does not compensate for the exploitation of Gilgit-Baltistan’s resources. He highlighted the long-standing issue of the region’s lands, mountains, forests, and jobs being seized, turning Gilgit-Baltistan into a grazing ground for others.

Hussain said that if the wealth taken from Gilgit-Baltistan over the past seventy-five years were accounted for, the government would be indebted to the region. The chairman expressed confidence that the time has come to challenge the incompetent rulers with the strength of public support.

It is to be mentioned here that AAC was formed in 2014 with the single objective of lowering wheat prices. During the then PPP government, the committee got public support, and it protested for 13 days in Gilgit to have its demands accepted.

Anjuman Imamia Gilgit President Haji Sajid Ali Baig expressed his dismay over the subsidy withdrawal, calling it a foolish decision and a source of ridicule for the state. He vowed to start a historic struggle with other stakeholders to immediately reverse this decision.

Baig criticized the non-elected individuals for creating political instability and taking unconstitutional steps, asserting that Gilgit-Baltistan, as a disputed territory, is entitled to all privileges under international laws. If it cannot be made a full constitutional province, its complete disputed status should be maintained, he added.

Meanwhile, Gilgit-Baltistan’s Chief Secretary, Abrar Ahmad Mirza, explained that the stringent conditions set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) do not allow the continuation of the wheat subsidy in Gilgit-Baltistan. He highlighted the region’s dire financial position, mentioning that if the current situation persists, they might be unable to pay employee salaries by March.

He mentioned that the federal government, following the IMF’s directives, has instructed them to target the wheat subsidy more effectively. “The Federal Ministry of Finance is not in favour of extending additional subsidies,” he said.