Going strong: Demonstration over wheat prices enters third day in G-B

Negotiations between govt and AAC remain inconclusive.

GILGIT: The shutter-down strike across Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) entered its third day on Thursday as negotiations between the government and Awami Action Committee (AAC) remained inconclusive.

In hopes of pressuring the government into reinstating the subsidy and reducing the price of wheat, AAC has threatened to continue the strike unless their demands are met.



On Thursday, however, some shops were partially open and traffic kept moving, weakening the intensity of the strike.

On the request of Chief Minister (CM) Mehdi Shah, the AAC leadership met him and his cabinet on Wednesday but no headway was made even after five hours of talks as AAC refused to accept verbal assurances.

“We have made it clear that we will sit together only after we get things from the CM in black and white. We cannot afford to trust verbal promises,” said Safdar Ali, one of the AAC leaders.

Meanwhile, demonstrators continued to flock the protest camp set up at Ghari Bagh. The camp has served as a meeting point for AAC leaders. Protesters have also threatened to begin long marches if the wheat subsidy is not restored.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 18^th, 2014.