GILGIT: As the protest by Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) traders against income and sales taxes collected at the Sost Dry Port entered its 50th day on Monday, the demonstrators again halted work at the immigration counter, suspending all travel and trade between Pakistan and China through the Khunjerab Pass.
The protest sit-in is being held on call of the Pak-China Tajir Ittehad Action Committee. The protesters maintain that G-B is a “disputed territory” and that the collection of taxes is therefore illegal.
The ongoing suspension of immigration services has left a large number of foreign passengers, including Chinese nationals and students, stranded at Sost. According to sources, the administration has reportedly installed jammers in Sost, disrupting internet services.
This is the second time protesters have blocked immigration at the border. They first blocked cross-border movement on July 28 but allowed limited immigration to resume on August 19 after what they described as “positive signals” from a federal committee set up by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. However, traders say no concrete progress has been made since.
The Gilgit-Baltistan Supreme Council a body representing various stakeholders, which is negotiating with government committees on behalf of the Pak-China Tajir Ittehad Action Committee held an emergency meeting on Sunday.
It endorsed the demands of the sit-in and criticised the provincial government’s decision to form yet another committee.
The council expressed “serious concern” over what it called the withholding of cabinet recommendations on tax relief and container amnesty from the federal government.
It warned that trade and immigration services at Sost will not resume until the protesters’ demands are met. The council said that any attempt to forcibly end the peaceful sit-in would be “a conspiracy to disturb peace in the region.” It noted that the movement for the rights of Gilgit-Baltistan is receiving backing from political, religious, and youth groups.
The Supreme Council and the Pak-China Traders Union Action Committee have given the provincial government a three-day ultimatum, warning that if demands are not met by the night of Sept 10, a complete shutdown strike and full blockade of all roads across G-B will begin on Sept 12.
Gilgit-Baltistan Interior Minister Shams Lone, addressing a press conference in Gilgit, said the government was seriously reviewing all aspects of the protest at Sost Port and respects every citizen’s right to peaceful demonstration. However, he cautioned that “certain groups are trying to hold the port system hostage and create an anti-state narrative, which will not be tolerated.”
The minister said that the government was considering all legitimate demands and formed a committee comprising provincial ministers, senior ministers, and the finance secretary. The committee will soon hold talks with all stakeholders and border authorities and share a charter of demands with the federal government.
He emphasised that the government aims to resolve the issue within democratic and legal parameters to facilitate local traders and ensure continuity of trade. Calling Sost Port “the backbone of Gilgit-Baltistan’s economy,” he said its functionality and transparency remain the government’s top priority.
Lone stressed that “no group or mafia can hijack the port, nor will the government allow it. Trade operations will continue transparently within the legal framework.” He warned that anti-state rhetoric against state institutions and the government “will not be tolerated,” while assuring that the government “stands with the people on all legitimate and lawful demands” and remains committed to resolving issues peacefully.
