A severe shortage of wheat is creating widespread hardship and fueling public anger in Gilgit-Baltistan, with residents increasingly blaming Islamabad for neglect. Daily scenes of long queues at ration shops, often resulting in disappointment, highlight the scarcity of subsidized grain, a vital supply during the harsh winter. This crisis has pushed the cost of basic meals beyond the reach of many families across the region, from Gilgit to Skardu and Hunza, as market prices for wheat have surged.
Many community groups and individuals believe the wheat scarcity is not accidental but a deliberate outcome of policies that disadvantage Gilgit-Baltistan, a territory already lacking political rights. They claim the region consistently bears the brunt of resource shortages. Compounding the food crisis are persistent and crippling electricity outages, disrupting businesses and making it difficult for students to study, despite the region’s role as a major hydropower producer for Pakistan.
Residents identify the root of these problems in the administrative and political structure dictated by Islamabad. Gilgit-Baltistan remains outside Pakistan’s constitution, lacking representation in the national legislature and access to the Supreme Court. This distant decision-making process over land, water, and revenue means locals have little say in their region’s governance. A growing sentiment is that the region is exploited for its resources while its basic needs are ignored.
Civil society organizations contend that the federal authorities missed opportunities to prevent the wheat shortage from becoming a crisis. Local administrations reportedly issued warnings about dwindling supplies, but the response from higher officials was allegedly limited to routine assurances and explanations involving transportation delays. The worsening situation has led to public protests, with citizens demanding the government restore subsidized supplies and ensure fair distribution. Many elderly residents express dismay at returning home empty-handed repeatedly, a situation worse than in previous difficult years.
Protesters link the current food crisis to a broader pattern of perceived exploitation, including land seizures for development projects without adequate compensation, the export of hydropower while locals face darkness, and major projects initiated without local consultation. They argue this demonstrates a governance model that treats Gilgit-Baltistan as a peripheral area despite its strategic importance. For families, the immediate concern is survival. With winter worsening and no clear plan from Islamabad, fears of the crisis deepening are high. Residents are weary of patience, believing the struggle for food exposes the marginalization of their region due to its limited political leverage.