Published: Sunday, May 12, 2020
In the Pakistani-controlled part of Kashmir, a protest against rising food, fuel, and utility costs has become violent, killing a policeman and injuring dozens.
ISLAMABAD – A protest in Pakistan controlled Kashmir against the rising cost of fuel, food and utility bills became violent, officials reported Sunday, resulting in the death of a policeman and injuries to dozens.
On Saturday, traders in some cities of Pakistan-controlled Kashmir took down their shutters while protesters burnt tires to show their anger.
Authorities have confirmed that a police officer has been killed in the town of Dadyal. The police have arrested several protesters in Kashmir, which is divided by Pakistan and India.
Prime Minister Chaudhry Haq in Pakistani-held Kashmir said that he would be willing to listen to the protesters’ demands, but warned them against violence.
On Sunday, Pakistan’s president Asif Ali Zadari convened a gathering to discuss ways to calm down the protests.
Last year, Pakistan narrowly avoided defaulting on its foreign debts after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and several friendly countries came to it’s rescue with loans. The monthly inflation rate in Pakistan reached over 40% at one time, but the authorities claim that it has now dropped to just 17% before talks with IMF about a new bailout. Pakistan expects to receive at least $6 billion in IMF funding when it comes to a new bailout deal, which is expected within the next few months.
Source: ABC News