Opposition members requisition G-B Assembly session over Pak-China trade issues

GILGIT: Opposition members of the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly on Tuesday requisitioned the session of the house to discuss the issues faced by local traders at Pak-China border.

The requisition notice signed by 12 members of the assembly one-third of the assembly was submitted to the assembly’s secretariat by Sohail Abbas, Javed Manwa, and Raja Zakaria, invoking Article 53(4) of the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan Order 2018.

The members have cited critical issues requiring immediate attention, including the stoppage of Pak-China trade at Sost Dry Port and an incident involving a customs officer firing at an international passenger vehicle near the China border.

Additionally, they seek to formulate a policy for small traders and baggage handling. The Speaker of the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly has been urged to acknowledge receipt of this request and convene the session without delay.

While talking to HUM News English, G-B Assembly Opposition Member Javed Manwa said:”The trade stoppage at Sost Dry Port has been ongoing for the past five months, causing significant disruptions. Additionally, our small traders are facing severe restrictions on baggage trade, leaving them in a dire situation.”

Manuwa revealed that DC customs dressed in plain clothes and driving a private NCP vehicle, fi opened fire at a private vehicle coming from China. He said this highlights the pressing issues that need to be addressed in the Assembly. Moreover, he said, recently cutoms superintendent issued a circular banning small traders from carrying extra or empty bags, “which is a clear violation of the 1985 border protocol agreement”.

“Our traders, who rely solely on this trade for their livelihood, are left with no alternative business avenues. Despite Gilgit-Baltistan being an area exempt from certain taxes and duties, our traders are subjected to higher customs duties compared to other ports.

It is imperative that these issues be discussed and resolved in the Assembly,” he added.

Earlier on Sunday, opposition members of the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly visited the Gilgit-Baltistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. During the visit, the assembly members were briefed on the issues faced by traders, particularly the four-month closure of business at Sost Dry Port, challenges in small traders’ baggage handling, and the recent unpleasant incident involving a customs officer. The opposition members assured that they would work towards resolving the traders’ issues at every forum.

While talking to HUM News English, PML-N leader and trader Javed Hussain said that the customs authorities were asking for over 200 per cent of taxes due to which their containers had been standing for the past six months without clearance at the port.

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Hussain explained that they met with the Chairman of FBR and the Director General of Customs in Islamabad, but no satisfactory results were achieved. ” Then, we approached opposition members of the GB assembly and asked them to summon the DG Customs to explain why this injustice was happening to them.

He said, “The law states that trade at Pakistan’s borders should be facilitated, especially in disputed areas like the Pak-China border. Gilgit-Baltistan has unique ground realities, which is why we requested the opposition to submit a requisition.

Currently, he said, around 200 containers have been stuck at Sost Dry Port for the past six months without clearance. “Small traders, who operate with border passes and transport goods worth five to six lakh rupees in baggage form, are also facing bans. This situation is dire, and we need immediate resolution,” he added.