Amidst the ongoing massive protest of the Awami Action Committee against the abolition of wheat subsidy in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit Baltistan (POGB), the POGB council has reached out to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, who also happens to be the Chairman of POGB Council. They have demanded that the earlier price of wheat should be reinstated as the abolition of wheat subsidy has put financial burden over the region, making the condition of native populace worse. However, they have opinionated to defer the increase till February 8 general elections.

The letter also highlighted the unjust wheat price increase from Rs. 7.5/kg to Rs. 36/kg. The council argued that POGB is a far-flung area with no production of wheat. The region is facing massive unemployment and lacks basic amenities. And hence, the people of POGB are incapable of purchasing the costly wheat. Accordingly, the Council has demanded to revisit the wheat policy and defer the increased wheat price till the upcoming elections.

The POGB council’s letter comes after it extended support to the ongoing protests against removal of wheat subsidy, abolition of health card, increased taxes among others. While extending the support, POGB council affirmed to submit a summary to the caretaker PM recommending the continuous inflow of subsidized wheat into POGB.

Notably, the serious efforts by the local leaders and the POGB council started only after the strict warning of the protestors, demanding their rights while sitting on the streets of POGB in bone chilling winters, with the temperature as low as -5⁰C.

Sinister interest of political leaders

However, the approach of POGB council which is headed by the PM of Pakistan seems no different than the puppet assembly and its leaders. Each of them is trying to diffuse the escalation of conflict till the upcoming general elections.

At first, POGB Assembly member Fathullah Khan negotiated with the protestors on Monday to end the protest till the upcoming February 8 general election, with a promise of raising the wheat subsidy issue with the newly formed occupying government. To which protestors denied vehemently.  

After the protestors strongly stood their ground, the POGB council, which extended support to the protest and their demands ranging from wheat subsidy to health card, also recommended to the caretaker PM of Pakistan to continue subsidy only till February 8. Simply put, after extending unconditional support and promising to raise the issue, POGB council reached out to the caretaker PM of Pakistan only for the wheat issue and that too to postpone the increase in price till February 8.

It simply means that the only motive of the POGB council and other political leaders is to diffuse the conflict so the question of wheat subsidy could not cast a shadow over the elections. Because if, wheat issue takes central importance, which it will take, the local leaders would neither be able to solve the issue, nor would they be able to show a red eye to their masters in Islamabad.

So there may be a chance that the subsidy is reinstated prior to the general elections, but that would only be to mislead the captivated population of POGB.   

In the aftermath of the Union Home Minister’s recent declaration categorizing the Masarat Alam-led Muslim League as a separatist and anti-national organization, the Handwara police in Jammu and Kashmir have initiated a robust public awareness campaign. The police, utilizing loudspeakers and a drum beater for added emphasis, took to the streets to caution citizens against any involvement with the banned outfit, making it clear that such associations could lead to severe legal consequences.

The recorded announcement said, “This is to inform the citizens that Muslim League Jammu and Kashmir- Masarat Alam faction, by the notification number 5462E, dated 27-12-2023, has been declared unlawful organisation.” Handwara Police also warned people to refrain from making any contact with the banned organisation. Similarly, the announcement was also made regarding Tehreek-e Hurriyat.

Handwara Police also announced that Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, Jammu and Kashmir (TeH) has been declared as unlawful organisation by the government order having notification number SO5532E dated 31-12-2023. Accordingly, the police announced explicit warning, “Beware of making contact with the banned Hurriyat organization. Any contact may lead to legal action. Subsequently, to reinforce the message, posters were also pasted prominently across the Handwara town, cautioning people to steer away from the banned Hurriyat organization and emphasizing strict consequences for any attempted contact.

The Muslim League, based in Jammu and Kashmir, found itself officially outlawed on December 27 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, for a period of five years. Beyond cautioning citizens, the Handwara police are actively encouraging the public to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activity related to the banned organization. The authorities emphasize the vital role of community cooperation in maintaining peace and order in the region.

After months of keeping silence over the wheat price protest in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (POGB), the opposition leader in the POGB’s puppet assembly has vocally criticized the abolition of wheat price subsidy. Muhammad Kazim Maisam, the leader of Majlis Wahadat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) also castigated Pakistan over the political and constitutional status of POGB.

In his statement, opposition leader Maisam highlighted the differentiation and alienation that POGB faced at the hands of Pakistan. He said, “Neither Gilgit Baltistan has representation in National Assembly nor in Senate. Gilgit Baltistan is neither the part of NFC award nor it is getting any facilities similar to citizens of Pakistan.”

Notably seven decades ago, Pakistan with its propagandas manipulated the minds of POGB people. Luring them by the dream of independence, Pakistan illegally occupied POGB and detached the region with its people from their righteous place in India. Since the region was disputed, Pakistan never did the accession to be politically correct. In fact, Pakistan exploited this political uncertainty of the region to squeeze out the resources, without assuming the responsibility of its people. On the other hand, it fueled the accession movement from the inside of POGB. Accordingly, Pakistan kept reaping the fruits from others misery, until the native people started getting aware.  

Now, when the people are at the receiving end of this malicious policy of Pakistan, they are becoming aware of the Pakistani deception.

Ongoing protest in POGB

Nonetheless, Maisam also highlighted the betrayal of Pakistan. He said, “The only movement in the world that is going on for the accession was Gilgit Baltistan. But PDM faction (a political coalition of PPP, PML-N and others), I thank you for carrying on the undemocratic practices like POJK and Pakistan.” MWM leader also underscored Pakistan’s interference in political system of POGB by mentioning Shahbaz Shareef’s monitoring of regime change operation in POGB.

Moreover, Maisam stated that thousands of people of POGB are on the streets because they have some issues. They are hurling slogans in favour of their demands. Despite these strong protests by the people in chilling winters, there has been no redressal.

Considerably, after the abolition of subsidy on wheat prices and the imposition of higher taxes using the Finance Act 2023, people across POGB hit out on the streets. In the bone chilling winter with a temperature as low as -5^o, the women and children left their homes to protest against increased wheat prices. This speaks volume about the subversion that the people of POGB are facing.  

However, Maisam’s statement comes a couple of days after the Gilgit Baltistan United Movement (GBUM) chief lambasted the local leaders for not voicing in favour of the people. He warned that those who would not align with the righteous demands of people would be considered as traitors.