A widespread protest in the Gilgit-Baltistan intensified on Wednesday as protesters disrupted immigration operations and blocking the exit point to China from Pakistan through the Pass, demanding the implementation of the GB Chief Court’s order, which restrains the collection of income tax, sales tax, and additional sales tax on imported items from China through the Khunjerab Pass.
If their demands are not satisfied, protestors vowed to spread their demonstrations to other parts of the region and to block the primary entry and exit point at Khunjerab Top, the Karakoram Highway (CPEC).
On Wednesday, GB traders suspended all port operations as part of their sixth day-long protest sit-in outside the Sost Dry Port. Among other things, they are protesting the non-implementation of the Chief Court’s judgment prohibiting Pakistan Customs and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) from obtaining taxes on imports from China via the Khunjerab Pass.
Travel to China was halted in the meanwhile when small business owners held a sit-in protest before the Pakistan Immigration office in Sost. Thousands of travelers, both domestic and foreign, were consequently unable to use the Khunjerab Pass to reach China. Protesters brandished banners with anti-GB collector of customs, chief collector north, and member customs operation slogans.
The demonstrators said that local traders are forced to resort to agitation because Pakistan Customs authorities are unwilling to address their legitimate issues.
