Day 10: Crowds continue flocking to rallies over wheat protest
Protesters’ enthusiasm remains as high as it was in its initial stages. PHOTO: FILE
The movement supporting a wheat subsidy for Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) has gained unmatched popularity; its sit-ins often surpass the strength of recent rallies in the region. It was launched by the Awami Action Committee (AAC), a 23-party alliance.
Previously, the largest gathering witnessed by Gilgit was in March when Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and G-B Birjees Tahir addressed residents. The event attracted approximately 15,000 people but lasted for hardly two hours.
Contrary to that, AAC rallies continue to draw huge crowds and unite people from different sects. On Thursday, the movement entered its 10th day but protesters’ enthusiasm remained as high as it was in its initial stages.
In Skardu, the crowd at Yadgar Chowk continues to swell as more than 30,000 people turned up on both Wednesday and Thursday. The situation is similar in Gilgit where people continue to flock to the protest camp at Ghari Bagh.
In view of G-B being under-developed, former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto introduced subsidised wheat in the region. The incentive continued for decades but the subsidy was recently decreased.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 25th, 2014.