A senior leader from Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB) voiced serious concerns regarding the dire conditions faced by residents in the region. The leader criticized local authorities for neglecting critical infrastructure and basic services in PoGB, calling attention to the severe violence in PoGB and other regions like occupied-Kashmir and Xinjiang.
In his statement, the leader accused the authorities of exacerbating the region’s problems by failing to address longstanding grievances. He said, “There is not so much cruelty in Kashmir and Xinjiang as it is happening to us,” and announced that the CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor) Road would be closed starting today in protest.
The leader highlighted the ongoing peaceful protests by PoGB residents over the past eight months, which have not been met with any meaningful response from occupied-officials. He also pointed out smuggling activities occurring at various ports and borders, including Chaman and Afghanistan, while PoGB residents face heavy taxation with no viable options for relief.
The leader specifically addressed the ongoing protest by traders from PoGB who are involved in cross-border trade through the Sost Dry Port. He criticized the occupied-authorities for obstructing their trade activities and disregarding a court order from PoGB’s chief court that exempted them from certain taxes. “Sost Port is the only border in the country with no trace of smuggling, but they are not honoring PoGB’s chief court order, which spared us from all taxes,” he said.
Reportedly, the protests have led to a halt in border trade between Pakistan and China, with traders demanding an end to the tax collection that is unlawful. The protesters have threatened to escalate their actions, including blocking the Karakoram Highway, if their demands for fair treatment and respect for the court’s ruling are not met.