Traders in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB) staged a sit-in protest on Sunday in front of the National Logistics Corporation (NLC) Dry Port at Sost, demanding proper implementation of the PoGB Chief Court’s orders regarding taxes. The demonstration highlights growing frustrations among local traders involved in cross-border commerce between Pakistan and China through the Khunjerab Pass.
One trader expressed their grievances, said, “For the last eight months, our goods-filled containers have been sitting around the port, and the authorities have not responded adequately.” The protester added that approximately 1,500 laborers involved in cross-border trade are facing harassment since the Pakistan-China Border reopened in April.
The traders also said that the Pakistan’s Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) customs officials, including the chief customs collector and customs collector in PoGB, of improperly collecting sales and income taxes. This action contradicts a PoGB Supreme Court order that withheld these taxes at the Sost port. These actions seems like a tactic to divert trade to other ports in Pakistan.
Meanwhile, on July 29, the Awami Action Committee (AAC), an alliance of political and religious parties and traders’ unions, held a gathering where they voiced strong criticism against the occupying Pak Army. The AAC chairman warned, “If we are not allowed to trade on our land, we will set fire and no one will be safe.”
The AAC has been vocal about various issues affecting Pak-occupied-Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB), including rising electricity bills, inadequate health and education infrastructure, soaring wheat prices, and widespread corruption leading to high youth unemployment.