Skardu, July 07: Such protests are widespread on the streets of Gilgit Baltistan. They have been fighting for their basic rights - education, healthcare, food and employment. In Skardu, thousands of people took part in demonstrations for several days to oppose the Pakistan Government’s decision to withdraw the wheat subsidy. The protesters, under the banner of the Awami Action Committee, a constituent of 22 different political, religious and nationalist parties, also demanded an end to colonial rule. Nationalist leader Manzoor Parwana said that Gilgit Baltistan is a disputed area and Pakistan will never succeed in making it a part of its territory. Gilgit Baltistan was annexed from the erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir and is strategically located between Pakistan, India, China and Afghanistan.
