Gilgit Baltistan

Wheat subsidy protest: Protest committee’s leader arrested

A spokesperson of the deputy commissioner’s office said he did not know of the matter.

Our Correspondent March 12, 2014

"Our strike was peaceful everywhere, but one of our leaders has still been arrested on false charges,” said a coordinator of the AAC. PHOTO: FILE

GILGIT: One of the leaders of the Awami Action Committee (AAC), Captain Shafi, was arrested in Gilgit on Wednesday.

AAC, an alliance of various groups and parties, formed to pressure the government to restore the subsidy on wheat.

On the AAC’s call, a complete shutter-down strike was observed across G-B, leaving roads and markets deserted.

“Our strike was peaceful everywhere, but one of our leaders has still been arrested on false charges,” said a coordinator of the AAC, Wajahat Ali.

A spokesperson of the deputy commissioner’s office said he did not know of the matter. A police official told The Express Tribune Shafi has been arrested under ‘maintenance of public order’.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 13^th, 2014.