Affordable price: ‘Govt will not withdraw wheat subsidy’

It was, however, not clear if the rate of wheat would be changed to its original subsidized amount of 2009.

GILGIT: The federal government will not withdraw subsidy being given to Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) on wheat, said Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit–Baltistan Birjis Tahir on Wednesday. Speaking at a meeting to commemorate the 11th death anniversary of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s leader Saifur Rahman, the minister reiterated that they will not lift the subsidy. It was, however, not clear if the rate of wheat, for which the Awami Action Committee launched a movement, would be changed to its original subsidized amount of 2009. “It is the provincial government of G-B that has increased the price of wheat, not the federal,” said the minister. He said that the mega silk route festival would be organised this year and people from 22 countries would take part in it. He added that tourist resorts would be set up near Attabad Lake to promote tourism and a chopper service would be provided to tourists. The federal minister claimed that the power crisis faced by the people in the area would be settled as soon as the power projects start. PML-N’s Marvi Memon and Hafeezur Rehman also spoke at the event.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 20^th, 2014.