GILGIT: The Awami Action Committee (ACC), an alliance of political parties and traders’ unions, on Monday postponed its month-long protest sit-in and demonstrations for three weeks, following assurances from the Gilgit-Baltistan government to address their demands within this time frame.

The AAC’s demands include restoring subsidised wheat prices to the 2022 level, suspending the GB Revenue Act 2023, withdrawing various taxes, ensuring GB’s share in the NFC award, and providing land ownership rights to locals.

AAC stated that a formal announcement regarding the postponement of the protests will be made today (Tuesday).

Negotiations took place between GB government representatives, including Home Minister Shams Lone, GB Assembly Member Fatehullah Khan, advisers to CM Eman Shah and Hussain Shah, and ACC representatives to address the ongoing protest sit-ins based on a 15-point charter of demands.

CM notifies wheat price restoration and tax annulment; discussions in progress on 13 other points

Protesters had demanded the cancellation of leases granted to outsiders for mineral exploration, 80 per cent royalty of Diamer-Bhasha Dam under net hydel profit to GB people, provision of barren lands’ ownership to local people, electricity supply to GB residents, end to the 22-hour power outages, establishment of medical and engineering colleges in the region, and restoration of traditional routes in GB.

GB CM Haji Gulbar issued a notification for the restoration of subsidised wheat rate, down from Rs36 per kg to Rs20 per kg, and the annulment of taxes imposed through the GB Revenue Act 2023.

AAC and GB government representatives agreed to continue negotiations to address the remaining 13 points of the charter of demands.

In a press conference in Gilgit, Mr Lone along with Mr Fatehullah, Mr Eman and Mr Hussain, announced that both parties agreed to continue negotiations to resolve protesters’ demands in the next 15 days. The GB chief minister formed a six-member cabinet committee to engage with stakeholders and resolve issues.

Mr Fathullah emphasised that the GB government is committed to addressing genuine demands, and the formed committee will gather input from stakeholders, propose mechanisms to solve issues, and send recommendations to the chief minister.

He clarified that the committee would determine the mechanism to solve issues based on whether it falls under GB’s authority or is a federal subject. Two demands have been met, and negotiations will continue on the remaining 13 points.

Fathullah Khan stated that the GB government and ACC agreed to postpone the protest until the committee completes its work, and the notification regarding withholding taxes under the GB Revenue Act 2023 has been handed over to them.

Massive protests erupted across GB on the issues. A 34-day-long protest sit-in in Skardu was postponed after the restoration of subsidised rates, and a protest march in district Nagar was also called off.

ACC leaders declared it a success and stated that they would wait for the resolution of their demands under the agreement, with a warning of a massive-level protest if their demands are not met.

Published in Dawn, February 6th, 2024