10th March Strike in Gilgit-Baltistan [Live Updates]

End of Updates

The strike today in all seven districts remained successful. There were no reports of any violence or breach of law. The Awami Action Committee will meet tomorrow to decide its future strategy. They are also expected to hold a press conference tomorrow in Gilgit in which they will announce their plans.

[Updated at 08:00pm]

A small group of individuals, including Altaf Hussain of Gilgit-Baltistan Policy Institute, Izhar Hunzai of High Asia Institute, Muhammad Darjat, Dr. Zaeem Zia, Shabbir Mayyar and others, gathered in front of the National Press Club in Islamabad to express solidarity with the Awami Action Committee.

Speaking at the occasion, they said that the demands of AAC are justified and that would suffer a lot if the subsidies are withdrawn suddenly.

They also announced that a large protest demonstration will be held in front of the National Press Club on Wednesday, which will attended by a large number of GBians based in the twin cities.

[Updated at 7:40]

The Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly (GBLA) today discussed the ongoing strike against removal of wheat subsidies and other injustices. Several members of the assembly supported the stance of the Awami Action Committee.

Two more photographs shared by Mon Digital show deserted Bazar area in Gilgit city.

[Updated at 5:00]

The markets in Aliabad and Karimabad (Hunza) remained shut throughout the day. Ikram Najmi shares photographs of the locked down shops and markets and deserted roads from the Hunza Valley.

[Updated at 4:31pm]

Of Awami Action Committee strike in Gilgit Baltistan today. #IndependentMedia http://t.co/30Y34O6zro

— Murtaza Solangi (@murtazasolangi) March 10, 2014

[Updated at 4:10pm]

The Charter of demand contains the following points:

1. Restoration and fixation of the wheat price for a 100kg sack at 820 rupees.

2. Restoration of subsidies on oil and other edibles, as well as the PIA fares which have been withdrawn by the government

3. Provision of free health services and medicines in all government hospitals and halting of the fees being charged at the hospitals for the last couple of years

4. Bringing an end to the movement of gems and minerals. Not awarding exploration and mining lease to non-local companies.

5. Acceptance of the demands of the Diamer-Bhasha Dam affectees

6. Bringing an end to back-door hiring in all public sector organizations and establishing meritocratic and transparent hirings.

7. Bringing an end to load-shedding and reactivation of the non-functional power houses

8. Withdrawing all taxes imposed on the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, under the “No Taxation Without Representation” principle

9. Resolving the border disputes of Gilgit-Baltistan and protecting the region’s borders.

[Updated at 3:457pm]

Gilgit city and the surrounding areas have completely shut down in protest against the withdrawal of wheat subsidy, on the call of Awami Action Committee. These photographs taken by Tauseef Hassan Qasmi show a clearly picture of city and the neighboring Danyore town.

[Updated at 03:30pm]

Shutter down strike observed in Skardu. Photographs appearing from Skardu are showing shutter-down strike in full swing. People have also gathered in the main Bazar to press the government to reverse its decision to withdraw subsidy on wheat and other edibles.

[Updated at 03:05pm]

A female judge has complained that her vehicles was forcibly stopped and that she was unable to reach her office. “[I] Am not against peaceful opposition and strike but stopping a judge for reaching court is in itself a crime”, she said.

There are also reports that some patients have faced difficulties in reaching hospitals.

[Updated at 02:34]

[Updated at 02:15pm]