Neglected region…Sajjad Ahmad

AFTER weeks of peaceful protests and sit-ins across Gilgit-Baltistan, two major demands of the demonstrators were finally accepted. The Pakistan government reluctantly restored the wheat subsidy and suspended the infamous Finance Act, 2023. The flour bag price, increased twice in the past two years, was brought down to pre-2022 levels. Various fees, levies, and taxes though small in amount at least initially introduced in the Finance Act in some sectors, were also withheld. The GB chief ministers office issued a notification to withdraw the taxes to provide relief to the public.

Since the 1970s, GB has been enjoying a wheat subsidy and relief in direct, though not indirect, taxes due to its disputed constitutional status, poverty, and underdevelopment. For over a decade, attempts by successive governments to either impose taxes, cut the wheat subsidy, or acquire land have met with public resistance.

Periodically, GB has been embroiled in days of protests and strikes but recent demonstrations were unprecedented for two reasons. First, these protests were the longest in the regions history. People braved the harsh weather and continued their sit-ins for more than a month until their demands were accepted. Second, the Awami Action Committee an alliance of political, religious and traders unions which led the protests, had a 15-point demand list, including reduced wheat prices and the suspension of the Finance Act. The AAC asked for land ownership rights for the people, a share for GB in the NFC Award, royalties for GB for the Diamer-Basha dam, an end to prolonged power outages, etc. Although the protests have ended for now, after the acceptance of the first two demands, leaders, and civil rights activists, through their speeches, seem to have educated many people about the chronic issues of GB.

In GBs context, it is difficult to accept the remaining demands unless there is a major policy shift on the region on the part of the federal government. However, there is significant pressure on the newly elected dispensation to take GBs political and economic matters seriously. Lack of necessities such as health, electricity, transport, and communication has added to the peoples hardships. No serious attempt has ever been made by any government to improve the health infrastructure in the region. The shortage of doctors, critical machinery, medical labs, and hospitals has resulted in several deaths. Stories periodically surface on social media, if not mainstream media, about the suffering of patients due to the absence of medical staff and facilities.

There is pressure on the new set-up to take GBs matters seriously.

On top of that, long power outages often disrupt hospital functions. The absence of electricity for more than 20 hours every day has made peoples lives miserable. The ongoing severe energy crisis is the result of a lack of interest on the part of successive governments to tap the potential of power generation as well as the lack of accountability, and flawed planning and management. One key example is the Satpara dam in Skardu which has faced frequent technical problems and is now experiencing a critical water shortage. An arrangement to divert water into the dam did not materialise. Hence, with the gradual decline in snowfall, arguably due to climate change, there is not enough water to generate sufficient electricity for the town. Work on two more small dam projects was halted due to a shortage of funds and poor planning.

The commute of the population from GB to down country as the locals say is getting riskier. Frequent landslides disrupt traffic on the Karakoram Highway. The situation of the Skardu-Juglot road, upgraded amid much fanfare, is even more precarious. Continuous landslides have damaged the road at several points and have restricted the mobility of the people.

On the political front, the AAC had announced the resumption of protests this month for the remaining demands. The opinion over GBs disputed status seems to be divided, as political and religious leaders call for a constitutional amendment for GBs provincial status, while activists with more nationalist inclinations demand self-rule in their local affairs as per UN resolutions or at least an Azad Kashmir-type set-up. The latter, however, is hardly autonomous due to the centres interference.

The new government will have to take up challenging tasks for the betterment of GB. Pakistan, which is already passing through grave economic and political crises, cannot afford another problem. The habit of lingering on issues that require urgent attention needs to end. Time is of the essence in the resolution of pending issues and urgent practical steps are needed. The only way for the government to upgrade the region, satisfy the population and build trust among the public is to display its commitment and seriousness this time.

Courtesy Dawn