The writer taught at a public-sector university in Pakistan and is currently pursuing a doctorate in economics and public policy. Recently, for almost a fortnight, Gilgit-Baltistan saw huge political congregations and sit-ins with shutter-down strikes across its seven districts. The protest initially began against the withdrawal of the wheat subsidy given to the region by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. But the protesters went on to demand the implementation of a nine-point charter including basic civic rights…