ECC Meeting Addresses Wheat Subsidy Concerns for Gilgit-Baltistan

New price of wheat was fixed at Rs 2000 per pack.

Public Action Committee announced to continue the sit-in and issued a fourteen-point agenda,

Islamabad_The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Federal Cabinet on Thursday convened under the leadership of Federal Finance Minister Dr. Shamshad Akhtar to discuss wheat subsidy in Giglit-Baltistan. Senior Minister for Finance Engineer Mohammad Ismail, Chief Secretary Gilgit-Baltistan Abrar Ahmed Mirza, and Secretary Food Usman Ahmed made special appearances.

The meeting focused on the provision of wheat subsidy for Gilgit-Baltistan, with a detailed briefing provided by the Federal Secretary for Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan regarding the challenges faced in the region. Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan, Minister of Food, and Chief Secretary, representing public demands, emphasized maintaining previous wheat subsidy prices to alleviate food shortage issues.

They underscored the importance of ensuring 100% locally produced quality wheat, along with an additional grant to address any shortfall. The proposals presented by the Gilgit-Baltistan government to tackle the wheat crisis were earnestly considered in the meeting, with a commitment to taking prompt and concrete measures to prioritize and resolve the wheat issue.

Earlier, According to the orders of the provincial government, the food department of Gilgit-Baltistan has also issued an implementation notification. And the new price of wheat was fixed at Rs 2000 per back,

The Public Action Committee announced to continue the sit-in and issued a fourteen-point agenda saying that it should be implemented 100 percent otherwise the sit-in will continue.

1) The people of Gilgit-Baltistan should be frozen at the price of 2022 and 9 kg of wheat should be provided per person per month.

2 The Gilgit-Baltistan Finance Act 2023 should be declared effective immediately and all taxes levied in Gilgit-Baltistan should be abolished.

3 The government of Gilgit-Baltistan should end the artificially created two electricity crisis and increase the production of the previous one.

4 Government of Gilgit-Baltistan The financial budget of Gilgit-Baltistan should be obtained by establishing an NFC-style financial agreement with the federal government.

5. Through the Gilgit-Baltistan Reforms Bill, all uninhabited and barren lands should be declared 100% public property.

6 Constituent Assembly should be established in place of Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly.

7. Net hydel profits and water user rights of Diamer Bhasha Dam should be given 80% and free electricity should be provided to Gilgit Baltistan from Diamer Bhasha Dam.

8 All mining leases granted to non-indigenous persons should be canceled and leased to local people.

9 Tourism-related hotels and transport should be given industry status in Gilgit-Baltistan.

10 In order to promote tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan, Shunter Tunnel should be constructed as soon as possible so that tourists can get the best travel facilities.

11 Medical and engineering colleges should be established in Gilgit-Baltistan.

12 A women’s university for women should be established in Gilgit-Baltistan.

13 The ancient highways and roads of Gilgit-Baltistan should be restored immediately.

14 PSDP projects should be divided into different parts and contracts should be awarded to the local contractors of Gilgit-Baltistan, Baradar Mee.

15 The wheat supply contract should be given to the provincial organization NATCO to bring the organization out of losses.

Earlier in November,

The price of wheat was increased by the provincial government of Gilgit-Baltistan.
The price has been increased from Rs 2200 per sack (100 kg) to Rs 5000. Initially, the prices were reduced to Rs 3600 per sack due to protests at the regional level, but the public rejected this price as well. And a movement was started to roll back the price hike. This movement, which started from Baltistan and spread to all the districts of Gilgit-Baltistan, became a big challenge for the provincial government of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Apart from the people of Hunza, Nagar, Skardu, Ganche Baltistan, Diamar Ghazar and Astor, the people of Gilgit city also actively participated in this movement.
Negotiations between the government and the People’s Action Action Committee were held several times but failed.
Finally, people announced a long march from the districts to Gilgit.
People from all districts reached Gilgit city and the sit-in continued. On the second day of the sit-in, the government reduced wheat prices and restored the subsidy, accepting the demands of the Awami Action Committee.
And the notification was issued by the provincial government.