United we stand: Parties join hands to protest removal of wheat subsidy

Rally takes place at Garhi Bagh under the banner of Awami Action Committee.

GILGIT:

Political and religious parties from Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) held a protest in Gilgit on Friday against government’s withdrawal of wheat subsidy.

They also criticised the federal government for being unable to settle the boundary issue that led to bloodshed between residents of Diamer and K-P’s Kohistan district.

The rally took place at Garhi Bagh under the banner of Awami Action Committee (ACC) after Friday prayers and was attended by a large number of people. Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat, Anjuman-e-Imamia, Shia Ulema Council, Jamaat-e-Islami, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl, among other parties, participated in the protest.

Speakers condemned the withdrawal of the subsidy which former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had approved for the region. “We will be holding another rally next month,” said Progressive Youth Front Chairman Baba Jan, adding they will be observing a shutter down strike on March 10 to press for their demands.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 1^st, 2014.