Thousands march towards Gilgit demanding restoration of wheat subsidy
PT Report
Gahkuch/Gilgit/Yasin, February 15: Thousands of people belonging to Yasin and Gupis Tehsil of Ghizar district have started a long march towards Gilgit. According to media reports and some independent sources the number of protesters is between ten to fifteen thousand people.
The protesters are demanding reversal of the decision, reportedly, taken by the federal government regarding a special subsidy in wheat price offered to the people by Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.
Recently the price of wheat grains had been raised from 800 to 1150. Media reports had it that the price hike is part of a strategy to gradually withdraw the subsidy. The chief minister and some members of the cabinet have denied that the subsidy is being withdrawn. They argue that the price hike was important in view of the currency devaluation over the past years. Meanwhile, the GB Finance Minister, Muhammad Ali Akhtar, has said that the withdrawal of wheat subsidy is a conspiracy against PPP. He has advised the government to take the decision back.
The protesters are peaceful. They are raising slogans in favor of their demands. No damage has been caused to any property, public of private, according to reporters who are accompanying the mammoth caravan of people.
One of the prominent leaders of the march is Raja Jahanzeb, former candidate for the GBLA seat from Yasin Valley. Other leaders are Raja Abdul Sabur, Muhammad
- Around 15,000 people are believed to be taking part in the historical movement
Madad Shah, Shah Qayyum and Haider Wali.
The efforts of District administration to stop the protesters have failed. The protesters have, reportedly, vowed to reach Gilgit city peacefully and register their protest in front of the Gilgit – Baltistan Legislative Assembly, close to the monument of GB’s war of freedom.
The protesters are walking on foot. They had reached Gahkuch this evening where more people are likely to join them for tomorrow’s journey towards Gilgit city, the capital of Gilgit – Baltistan.
The protesters refused to finish the march when officials of the district administration tried to negotiate with them. The protesters have conditioned closure of the march to reversal of the decision on wheat subsidy.
This is for the first time in recent decades when thousands of people have started a mass movement for a civic facility.
The protesters have invited residents of other districts of GB to also take part in the historical protest movement.
Distance from Gahkuch to Gilgit is around 50 kilometer. At this pace, if all goes well, the protesters are likely to reach Gilgit by the night of 16th or the morning of 17th February.
The protesters have already covered almost a similar distance while moving from their homes in Yasin and Gupis.
The protesters have vowed to stay in front of the Chief Minister House till their demands are met and the wheat subsidy is restored completely.
waoo wat a show of strenth for their genuine rights.
people from all parts og Gilgit Baltistan should have to join this historical movement
As far as my knowledge,Pakistan has zero credibility in the war of independence of GB. GBians themselves fought the war and freed their motherland from Dogra Mahraj.The people of Gilgit-Baltistan by virtue of muslim faith declared to annex with Pakistan unconditionally.Due to some unknown reasons Pakistan declared GB as a disputed territory along with Jammu & Kashmir.The ststus of this region is still undefined.
Keeping in view the leaders Pakistan as a good gestures awarded some legal facilities to the people of GB, such as wheat subsidy- PIA, reserved seats in educational institutions,Government jobs, age relaxation and many others. Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto not only awarded number of facilities but tried to enhance the educational capability & infrastructure of Gilgit-Baltistan.He tried his best eleminate poverty from this region by creating thousands of jobs to locals.
May I ask the present government of PPP that where is the philosiphy of Late Z.A Bhutto? Who will revive the original People’s Party.People are still with the thoughts & ideas of Z.A Bhutto.
As a founder member of PPP I request the time of the government to honour the aspirations of the people of Gilgit -Baltistan and restore all those facilities provided by the previous governments.
People of Gilgit-Baltistan are very loyal to Pakistan.They have shown their loyalty during the war of Kargil.
Jehangir Shah
Lahore.
charo taraf pahri silsily hn aur beech ma ha hum misly gohar nayab hum path tharon py rahny waly .hum apny hukok k liya jadojahad krangy mojoda hukomat ko kia taklif ha jo is subsity ko khtam krna chati us ny pakistan ka bada grak kia ha ab glgt ka khon pina chati ha akhr q . Agr hum motafik na howay to kal ko ya govt hmary garon ko b ya govt ya otha langy
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اٹھو کہ تم زندہ قوم ہو
اٹھو کہ۔۔۔۔تم غیرت مند سپوت ہو
اٹھو کہ۔۔۔تم دلیر ہو
اٹھو کہ۔۔۔ تم میں شجاعت کی مثالیں ہیں
اٹھو کہ۔۔۔۔۔ زندہ قومیں اپنی تاریخ کو فراموش نہیں کرتی
اٹھو کہ۔۔۔۔ زندہ قومیں اپنے ورثہ کی حفاظت خود کرتی ہیں
اٹھو کہ۔۔۔۔ زندہ قومیں مشکلات کا مقابلہ جرات و بہادری سے کرتی ہیں
اٹھو کہ۔۔۔۔ زندہ قومیں میدان میں آ کر جدو جہد کرتی ہیں
اٹھو ۔۔۔ گلگت بلتستان کے عوام۔۔۔۔۔۔ اب خاموشی جرم ہے
اٹھو اٹھو اٹھو ۔۔۔۔۔ آزادی حاصل کرو اٹھو اٹھو