Gilgit-Baltistan is grappling with a severe wheat shortage, leaving residents frustrated and fueling accusations of deliberate neglect by Islamabad. Dawn brings long lines of people waiting at ration shops, hoping for a share of the dwindling subsidized wheat supply, which is essential for survival during the harsh winters. For weeks, securing this vital grain has become a daily struggle, impacting families in Gilgit, Skardu, Hunza, and other towns, making even the most basic meals uncertain.
Local traders report a significant surge in market prices for wheat, placing it out of reach for a large segment of the population. Residents are increasingly vocal, asserting that the current scarcity is not a random event but a symptom of systemic neglect. Many community leaders and residents claim that, similar to other deprivations, the region’s access to essential supplies is deliberately delayed or restricted. “This region always suffers the most when resources are scarce and is the last to recover,” stated a shopkeeper from Skardu, reflecting a sentiment held by many who have witnessed similar patterns for years.
The food crisis is compounded by severe, recurring electricity outages that plague the region. Businesses relying on consistent power for refrigeration or heating are facing operational challenges, while students preparing for exams are forced to study by candlelight, a stark contrast to the region’s significant contribution to Pakistan’s hydropower generation.
Many believe the underlying issue is the governance framework imposed by Islamabad. Gilgit-Baltistan operates outside Pakistan’s constitutional framework, lacking representation in national assemblies and access to the Supreme Court. This arrangement means crucial decisions concerning land, water, and revenue are made in the capital, leaving local populations with minimal influence over their region’s management. The prevailing sentiment is that the region is exploited for its resources with little reciprocal benefit.
Civil society advocates point out that the wheat shortage’s escalation into a crisis could have been prevented by timely action from federal authorities. Despite multiple warnings from local administrations about depleting wheat stocks, residents claim officials offered only standard assurances and attributed the problem to transport issues. This perceived inaction has ignited widespread street protests, with citizens demanding the restoration of subsidized supplies and an explanation for the erratic distribution.
Protesters often connect the current food crisis to a larger pattern of perceived mismanagement, citing issues like land acquisition for major projects without adequate compensation, the export of electricity generated locally, and development initiatives undertaken without community consultation. They argue these actions reinforce the view of Gilgit-Baltistan as a strategically vital but politically marginalized territory.
While broader geopolitical discussions may exist, for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, the immediate priority is access to food. As winter deepens and no concrete solutions emerge from Islamabad, anxieties about the situation worsening are prevalent. Residents express fatigue with assurances of patience, believing the recurring crises highlight their region’s diminished voice in national decision-making, despite its abundant natural wealth.