G-B traders allow immigration services at Sost Port after 20-day halt

GILGIT: Traders in Gilgit-Baltistan protesting income and sales taxes collected at Khunjerab border on Tuesday allowed resumption of immigration services at the Sost Dry Port after a 20-day hiatus.

The move came as ongoing negotiations with a federal committee provided “positive signals” for the approval of their demands against the collection of income and sales taxes.

The traders had blocked work at immigration and customs check posts on July 28, bringing all travel and trade between Pakistan and China via the Khunjerab Pass to a standstill.

A federal committee, constituted by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, met with the traders’ Supreme Council, which includes representatives from religious and trade bodies. The government delegation included G-B Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan, G-B Chief Secretary Abrar Ahmed Mirza, PPP President Amjad Hussain Advocate, and PML-N President and former G-B chief minister Hafeezur Rehman.

Javed Hussain, a former president of the G-B Chamber of Commerce and a prominent businessman, told HUM News English that the traders offered a one-time relief as a goodwill gesture after the federal negotiating committee agreed in principle to their demands.

Traders’ protest shuts KKH, cripples tourism in Gilgit-Baltistan

“We have set a deadline until Friday; the minutes of the negotiation are due by this evening. If our demands are not met, we will resume our protest on Monday after regathering our strength on Saturday and Sunday and block all transport to China, including that of tourists and foreigners,” he said.

Hussain clarified that while immigration services have been allowed, their sit-in protest is still ongoing. He announced that they would not call off their protest until their demands are implemented.

The protest sit-in, called by the Tajir Ittehad Action Committee, has drawn backing from trade organisations, government and opposition parties, and religious groups in the region.

The protesters, now in their 28th consecutive day of demonstrations, claim that Gilgit-Baltistan is a “disputed territory” and, therefore, the collection of taxes there is illegal due to its status. They are also demanding the Customs clearance of 280 consignments stuck at the Sost Dry Port for over a year under a one-time amnesty scheme.